Fire, fire.

This was scheduled to be a patrol along the Hertford Union, but as I arrived near Victoria Park there was a more pressing need for us.

The building on the right of frame was alight and burned until 2pm.

KD, TP and myself stationed ourselves at Old Ford Lock 8 and worked to dissuade towpath users from approaching the scene. Below the lock a PCSO was stopping anyone from going further and the LFB also wanted no-one on the canal below there.

Nevertheless some towpath users were very miffed they couldn't continue their journey past the flaming building and under the falling bricks. We soaked up their displeasure as calmly and assertively as we could. KD and TP proved to be stars at managing the situation.

Nevertheless some boats were still approaching the junction from the Hertford Union end, and we tried to move them through as fast as possible.

As the fire died down, the LFB were seriously worried about the potential of the building collapsing into the towpath and canal. We rang our weekend emergency contact to come down and (at the LFB's request) padlock the locks around the junction.

I had to leave after three hours, and arranged for TP to take over as lead volunteer on the scene, staying in contact with the police, LFB and the Trust.

3 unexpected hours.