Huge waste facility fire shuts Tube and train lines

A large fire broke out at a waste‑transfer facility near Wembley Stadium in north‑west London, forcing Transport for London (TfL) to suspend the Metropolitan line and part of the Jubilee line, and causing delays and cancellations on rail services to and from London Marylebone. The blaze, which started just after 11:30 BST on Tuesday, prompted the deployment of 20 fire engines and 125 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB). Smoke from the inferno was visible from miles away, prompting residents in the area to keep windows and doors shut.

The industrial unit on fire, located on Hannah Close in Neasden, measures roughly 100 metres by 150 metres (about 161,400 square feet). The facility is operated by London Energy, a subsidiary of the North London Waste Authority, which manages waste disposal for the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest. A London Energy spokesperson said all employees were safe and that the company was working closely with emergency services. The company also noted that an Amazon delivery facility in the same industrial estate was not directly affected, though staff had been evacuated as a precaution.

LFB Assistant Commissioner Andy Pennick spoke from the scene, describing the fire as a “well‑developed” incident at the waste facility. He said the brigade had requested 20 engines and that the incident would be “protracted”, with crews expected to remain on scene for the rest of the day. He thanked firefighters for their work and control officers for managing a large volume of calls and coordinating the response.

TfL confirmed that the Metropolitan line had been suspended entirely and that the Jubilee line was partially closed between Willesden Green and Wembley Park. A TfL spokesperson said the company was “continuing to liaise with LFB to make sure we understand what we can operate safely for both our customers and staff.” The disruption was expected to extend into Friday’s rush hour.

National Rail reported that services to and from London Marylebone were being delayed or cancelled because the lines to Aylesbury were blocked. The fire had also prompted the LFB to receive more than 70 calls from residents and businesses in the area, though the cause of the blaze remains unknown.

The fire caused significant smoke pollution, leading the LFB to warn residents to keep windows and doors closed. The brigade also noted that smoke plumes were visible from central London, raising concerns about air quality. While no injuries have been reported, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of transport infrastructure to nearby industrial incidents.

In response to the blaze, TfL and the LFB coordinated to assess the safety of the rail lines and to determine when services could resume. The Metropolitan line, which runs from Aldgate to Amersham and Chesham, was shut for the duration of the incident, while the Jubilee line, which serves central London and the West End, was partially closed between Willesden Green and Wembley Park. Passengers were advised to use alternative routes, and TfL encouraged them to check real‑time updates on its website and mobile app.

London Energy’s waste facility handles a large volume of municipal waste, and the fire’s impact on the surrounding community and transport network was significant. The LFB’s rapid response and the cooperation between emergency services and transport authorities helped mitigate the disruption. However, the incident underscored the need for robust emergency planning for facilities located near critical transport corridors.

As of the latest reports, the fire was still under control but had not yet been fully extinguished. The LFB was continuing to work at the site, with crews on scene for the remainder of the day. Transport services were gradually being restored as the fire was brought under control and safety assessments were completed. The incident was expected to have a lasting impact on travel plans for commuters and visitors in north‑west London until the end of the week.