Ahead of Olympiad's Close, Vast London Fire Breaks Out

Biggest blaze the city has seen in years
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 12, 2012 12:39 PM CDT
Ahead of Olympiad's Close, Vast London Fire Breaks Out
Smoke rises from a fire at a recycling center on Chequers Lane in Dagenham, east London, behind the Olympic Park's BMX track on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012.   (AP Photo/Anthony Devlin, PA)

Just ahead of this evening's Closing Ceremonies, London firefighters have controlled a massive blaze they say is the biggest the British capital has faced in years, reports the BBC. The fire broke out at an east London recycling center 7 miles from the Olympic Park, reports the AP, but with favorable winds blowing smoke in the opposite direction, organizers said it would not affect the city's adieu to its Games. "It's certainly a dramatic end to the Olympics for the London Fire Brigade," said the city's fire commissioner. More than 200 firefighters had been called in. (More London stories.)

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