What happened on Bethnal Green Road in 2004?

On 20 July 2004 a fire broke out in a shop located at 419 Bethnal Green Road. Tragically the fire would claim the lives of two firefighters.

How did the Bethnal Green Road shop fire start?

The source of ignition is unknown, but an increase in ventilation resulted in flashover.

The shop had a metal security shutter which made access to the building difficult. Firefighters fought their way through extremely thick smoke down a narrow passageway for stored goods to the head of a flight of stairs which led to the basement.

They began fighting the fire until relieved by a further crew with communication who had entered by the shuttered front door, which had now been forced open.

The crews continued to battle the blaze for several crew changes. More than two hours later 40+ firefighters were involved in tackling the fire.

What can the industry learn from the Bethnal Green Road shop fire?

During the inquest, a senior accident investigation officer revealed that the water supply to their hose had been switched off as the pair tried to battle the blaze, while the second hose reel had been ‘burnt through’.

Fire brigade chiefs had not realised how intense the fire was. 30 minutes passed between the order being given to use a fire hydrant and the water being used.

It was also claimed that the two men who tragically lost their lives were still in the basement when colleagues opened the doors and windows to ventilate the building. The jury said that fire chiefs at the scene did not realise that ventilation would cause the ‘rapid escalation’ of the fatal fire, resulting in flashover.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also made comments about previous recommendations for improvements to safety operations for Fire Brigades Union (FBU) staff.