Fire near O2 arena caused by planned film set explosions, police say

Near the famous O2 arena in London, "loud bangs and explosions" were heard. Online video recordings show billowing smoke. The police issued a statement explaining what happened.

Although London residents initially directed their posts towards the O2 arena, no fire affected it. One recording indicates that a large fire had occurred in a building on the other side of the Thames. The British Daily Mail published information about the fire, and further photos and recordings of frightened residents of the district were circulated online.

Eventually, the police said they received reports of explosions near the O2 in Greenwich (a London district - ed.). This was part of a pre-planned event related to filming in the Canning Town area.

Authorities assured that the situation posed no risk to the public.

In response to the police post, some people emphasised that the situation looked very serious and that perhaps a statement with information should have been issued a little earlier rather than after the fact.