Fire in Chingford Poundland Credit: Claire Barker

Almost 100 firefighters battled a huge blaze at Poundland in Chingford, east London, which left the whole of the first floor and roof completely gutted.

Some 15 fire engines and 97 firefighters rushed to the scene to battle the blaze as it threatened to spread.

Violent thug bit chunk out of sister's ear then threw a fridge at her head

Nearby homes were evacuated as emergency services attempted to tackle the inferno, which is already affecting flats above the shop.

A police investigation has now been launched amid claims of three people acting suspiciously in the area before the fire broke out.


They are now being treated as suspects, and members of the public are being asked to contact police if they have any information.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

(Picture: Claire Barker)

(Picture: Katie Jewiss Dulieu)

Zoe Rumble, 25, lives in the area and saw the blaze first hand.



She told Metro.co.uk: ‘I was walking up the road and I smelt smoke, and as I turned the corner I just saw the flames and the Poundland windows were shattered.

Will schools close again?

‘I could see the flames inside, there was six or seven fire engines and everywhere was blocked off.

‘I have never seen a fire on that scale before so it took me back a bit. I kept seeing flickers of fire on the roof then the whole thing went up.

‘The whole of Chingford is currently out watching it. It is just so, so bad.’

Another witness claimed the fire had spread to the roof of Boots next door, while others feared for the fate of neighbouring jewellers Shelina.

(Picture: Dee Pickering)

Station Manager Danny Meakin who is at the scene said: ‘The fire has severely damaged the store, rooms above and roof.

‘Firefighters are working hard to contain the fire and stop it from spreading. Crews will be at the scene throughout the night damping down pockets of fire.

‘A mother and daughter in an adjacent flat saw smoke and evacuated the property unhurt.’

Chingford fire: Zoe Rumble sent this video into @MetroUK and said: 'The blaze is intense, it is so, so bad'. pic.twitter.com/zswMt5RSaQ — Georgia Diebelius (@GJDiebelius) August 23, 2017

Raging fire currently ongoing in Chingford Mount. Footage captured by Tony Brayley. pic.twitter.com/hVvOnc7dBy — Georgia Diebelius (@GJDiebelius) August 23, 2017

London Fire Brigade warned people to stay away from the area as they dealt with the inferno.

Can you have a cold and coronavirus at the same time?

A user going by @TheAmaru on Twitter claimed that ‘possibly the house behind [the Poundland] and the shop next to it [are on fire]. Looks like it’s spread’.

A statement said: ‘Fifteen fire engines and 97 firefighters and officers tackled a blaze in a discount store on Old Church Road in Chingford.

‘The whole of the first floor and roof has been gutted by the fire. Also most of the ground floor was also affected by the blaze.’

Fire crews dealing with a large fire in Chingford Mount Road at the moment @LondonFire pic.twitter.com/176aou5Ed0 — Paul Wood (@PaulWood1961) August 23, 2017

A Met Police spokesman said: ‘Police on patrol in Walthom Forest came across a fire at a shop in Chingford Mount at 18.55.

‘Officers, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended and found the store ablaze.

You can leave the pub at 10 and 'carry on drinking at a friend's house'

‘At this early stage, there are no reported injuries.

‘Nearby properties have been evacuated as a precaution. No arrests have been made.

‘At this early stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious. Three suspects were seen to leave the area soon after the fire started.’

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.