Pre-Planned Explosion On London Film Set Spreads “Out Of Control” Near O2 Arena

A pre-planned “controlled explosion” on an east London film set spiraled “out of control” near The O2 arena in Silvertown, per the London Fire Brigade.

“The fire in #Silvertown followed a controlled explosion at a film set which spread out of control,” the organization wrote on X Aug. 31. “Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire, which is now under control. Crews will remain on scene for the remainder of the evening.”

Per a report from LFB, the fire destroyed one van, most of a car and a lorry (truck). There are currently no reports of any injuries. The call was made at 7:51 p.m. UTC, with the fire brought under control by 9:02 p.m. Crews from Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, East Greenwich attended the scene, featuring 25 firefighters and four fire engines that tamed the fire at the open air yard near Dock Road and Trinity Buoy Wharf.

Local police force Newham MPS tweeted out, “We are aware of reports of explosions being heard in the vicinity of the #O2 in #Greenwich. This was part of a pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town #E16 area. There is no risk to the public.”

Video captured at the scene and posted to social media also showed a boat being sent out to attend to the blaze. Additional video from onlookers featured multiple crackling explosions as the fire raged on, billowing out dark clouds of smoke. Also depicted in video is a burning truck emblazoned with the words “BBC News World,” though BBC News said it had no involvement with the incident.

It is currently unclear what film set the fire impacted, though Deadline will update this post once further details are available.