A major fire broke out early Saturday morning at a bathroom showroom in Luton, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes and a declaration of a major incident by emergency services. Ten fire crews, supported by special vehicles including aerial platforms and water carriers, responded to the scene on Selbourne Road shortly after 6 a.m.
Thick plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the building, visible in footage shared on social media. Residents in the immediate vicinity were ordered to leave their homes, and the public was advised to avoid the Selbourne Road area due to multiple road closures. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which has led to potential disruptions in water pressure for local residents.
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service stated that crews were using water jets to tackle the fire. "Firefighters have worked incredibly hard in challenging circumstances to extinguish the fire and it is anticipated the fire service will be on scene for the rest of the day," the spokesperson added. All individuals have been accounted for, and resources from neighboring Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire fire services provided assistance.
The incident occurs amid a period of heightened strain on fire services across the country, which have been dealing with numerous wildfires during a heatwave. On Thursday, temperatures reached 38.1C in some parts of the UK. The government has recently implemented a temporary ban on disposable barbecues, citing their significant risk during the hot weather. Separately, an inferno also broke out at a Holiday Inn in London on Friday, which is believed to be housing asylum seekers.