This is a developing story — updated as new information arrives.
A North Kensington garage fire sparked a major emergency response on Monday morning, with firefighters called to Ladbroke Grove after a blaze broke out behind a property.
Key facts
- What happened: a garage fire at the rear of a property
- Where: Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington, west London
- When: Monday 28 September 2026 — crews called at 8.11am
- Response: four fire engines and around 25 firefighters, with crews from North Kensington, Kensington and Wembley fire stations
- Cause: not yet known
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were sent to the scene, with crews mobilised from North Kensington, Kensington and Wembley fire stations shortly after the alarm was raised at 8.11am.
The blaze took hold in a garage at the rear of a property on the busy west London road. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and details remain limited while emergency services deal with the incident.
Timeline: how the emergency response unfolded
- 8.07am — first reports emerge of fire crews gathering on Ladbroke Grove and live coverage of the incident begins.
- 8.08am — multiple fire teams are confirmed in attendance at the scene.
- 8.11am — the London Fire Brigade confirms the call came in at 8.11am, with crews from North Kensington, Kensington and Wembley responding.
- 9.06am — the scale of the response becomes clear: four fire engines and around 25 firefighters at the scene; the fire involves a garage at the rear of a property; the cause is unknown.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters is a substantial turnout for a garage fire, reflecting how quickly blazes involving fuel, vehicles or stored chemicals can escalate and threaten neighbouring properties. With its own fire station on Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington is well covered by the London Fire Brigade, and crews from neighbouring Kensington and Wembley were also mobilised — a reminder of how the brigade pools resources across west London when a major response is needed.
Ladbroke Grove is one of west London’s busiest routes, running through the heart of North Kensington towards Notting Hill, and a large emergency response there can quickly cause congestion during the morning rush hour. Drivers and bus passengers are advised to avoid the area and allow extra time for journeys while crews remain at the scene.
The North Kensington garage fire is the latest in a series of blazes across the capital to trigger a major emergency response. A vehicle fire shut the M25 anticlockwise near Potters Bar, while a huge overnight blaze tore through a house in Wood Green, killing a man.
The cause of the North Kensington fire has not yet been established. In a separate case, a man was arrested on suspicion of arson after a late-night flat fire in Kilburn. Once the Ladbroke Grove blaze is extinguished, fire investigators will examine the scene to establish how it started — a routine step after any significant fire, and the brigade usually shares updates on major incidents once crews have left.
Safety advice for residents near a fire
With crews still at the scene, people living nearby are urged to follow standard fire-service guidance for incidents like this:
- Keep doors and windows closed if you can smell or see smoke drifting towards your home.
- Stay clear of the immediate area and do not drive through road closures — crews need space to work safely.
- Never enter a smoke-filled building. Garage fires can involve petrol, paints, gas canisters and chemicals that produce highly toxic smoke.
- If you spot a fire, call 999 immediately and give the exact location.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may be affected by smoke or disruption.
This is a developing story. We will update this article as the London Fire Brigade releases further information.
