Asbestos risk as firefighters tackle large blaze (From Times Series)

Asbestos risk as firefighters tackle large blaze in High Barnet

8:22am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

Firefighters tackled a large fire in two former hospital buildings, one of which contained asbestos, last night.

Six fire engines and more than 20 firefighters were called to the derelict properties in Wood Street, at the junction with Barnet Road, High Barnet, at 6.19pm.

Police closed off Barnet Road in both directions until 7am this morning and officers have since reopened one lane.

London Fire Brigade says crews were dealing with an unknown quantity of asbestos in one of the buildings.

One of the 20x10 metre, two storey buildings suffered 15 percent floor damage and 10 and 25 percent damage in the first floor and roof.

A two storey adjacent storage unit, containing the asbestos, suffered 80 percent damage on the ground and first floor.

Firefighters remain at the scene and a cause for the blaze is yet to be established.