Fire in east London under control

LONDON - London Fire Brigade updated on Sunday evening that the fire that broke out in east London is now under control, reliving the fear that it may influence the Olympics closing ceremony that is due to start in the night.

The Brigade said in a statement that it was called at about 13:15 local time, and the fire is at a recycling center on in Dagenham, east London. Forty fire engines and more than 200 firefighters are combating it.

The Brigade said that the incident was declared under control at 17:30 pm. But fire crews will stay at the scene throughout the night to completely extinguish the fire.

The fire took place not very far for the Olympic park, where the closing ceremony is due to start at 9 pm. The BBC Weather Center said the wind was likely to take the smoke northwards during the evening, away from the stadium.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said the size of the fire is not seen in London for several years, and "it's certainly a dramatic end to the Olympics for the London Fire Brigade."

"Fire crews will remain at the scene for as long as necessary and a thorough investigation will begin once the fire is out in order to establish how it stated," said Dobson.