Major fire at Luton showroom forces evacuations

A significant fire broke out early this morning at a bathroom showroom on Selbourne Road in Luton, England, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes and the declaration of a major incident. The fire, which began just after 6am, produced huge flames and thick black smoke visible in social media footage. Ten fire engines, three aerial platforms, two water carriers, and an incident command unit were dispatched to the scene, with additional support from Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire fire services. Firefighters surrounded the blaze and used water jets to contain it, but the operation was expected to continue for the rest of the day. Residents were advised to close windows and doors due to smoke, and road closures were in place. All people were accounted for, and no injuries were reported. The fire service noted that crews worked under challenging conditions, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. This incident occurs during a period of extreme heat across the UK, which has stretched fire services nationwide due to wildfires. The government has imposed a temporary ban on disposable barbecues, citing significant public risk. The fire in Luton follows a separate blaze at a Holiday Inn in London yesterday, which was housing asylum seekers and required a response from around 40 firefighters and six fire engines. The Luton fire highlights the heightened fire risk during the current heatwave and the strain on emergency services.