Fire Brigade attend fire and ‘explosion’ at London convenience store

Four fire engines and approximately 25 fire fighters were called out to battle a blaze at a central London convenience store at around 3pm on 23 February.

A fire and subsequent explosion occured at AP Food Express, located between Waterloo Station and the London Eye on Chicheley Street.

The London Fire Brigade said a woman was rescued from the floor above the shop and another fled before the fire brigade had arrived. Both were treated for smoke inhalation. There are no further known injuries.

Station offficer Craig Abbott, who was at the scene, said: “On arrival we found a well-developed fire resulting from an explosion in the shop, and heavy smoke. Our crews worked hard to stop the blaze spreading into the upper floors of the block.”

It took nearly two hours for the fire to be brought under control. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade.