People in the Isle of Dogs and North Greenwich areas of the capital were left baffled last night (31 August) after hearing a 'thunderclap' explosion in the area. Videos of the incident soon began to circulate across social media, with a blaze in the Silvertown district of Newham being the cause of the disruption.
"Noise heard in Isle of Dogs at around 7.55pm, with some people in the area describing it as a thunderstrike," one person wrote on X alongside a series of videos and images from the incident. Another user went on to add that they'd seen a 'BBC World News' truck on fire in the area.
HUGE EXPLOSION AT THE O2 ARENA IN LONDON, UKđź’Ą A huge fire erupted near the O2 Arena in Newham, East London on Saturday with huge clouds of black smoke over River Thames. NOISE HEARD IN ISLE OF DOGS AT AROUND 7.55PM, WITH SOME PEOPLE IN THE AREA DESCRIBING IT AS THUNDERSTRIKE⚡️
The footage understandably a caused concern online, causing local police and the London Fire Brigade to clarify the explosion was part of pre-planned filming in the area and posed no risk to the general public.
"We are aware of reports of explosions being heard in the vicinity of the #O2 in #Greenwich," Newham Police wrote on X.
"This was part of a pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town #E16 area. There is no risk to the public."
A statement from the London Fire Brigade added that while the blaze caused by the explosion had spread out of control, no one was harmed in the incident.
The explosion caused confusion amongst onlookers.
"The fire in #Silvertown followed a controlled explosion at a film set which spread out of control," the LFB wrote on X.
"Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire, which is now under control. Crews will remain on scene for the remainder of the evening.”
The report added that the blaze had destroyed most of a car, a van and a lorry.
It is unclear who was filming in the area, however a spokesperson for BBC News has since confirmed they were not involved in the production, saying: "There is no BBC News involvement in the events of this evening in docklands."
The explosion had come as a shock to some of the local residents in the area, with one man revealing to the Daily Mail that he hadn't received prior warning about filming taking place.
"The fire in #Silvertown followed a controlled explosion at a film set which spread out of control," the LFB wrote on X.
"Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire, which is now under control. Crews will remain on scene for the remainder of the evening.”
The report added that the blaze had destroyed most of a car, a van and a lorry.
It is unclear who was filming in the area, however a spokesperson for BBC News has since confirmed they were not involved in the production, saying: "There is no BBC News involvement in the events of this evening in docklands."
The explosion had come as a shock to some of the local residents in the area, with one man revealing to the Daily Mail that he hadn't received prior warning about filming taking place.
However it has since been confirmed that it was due to filming in the area
Describing the sound as an 'earthquake' he said: "We could have been warned there was going to be a controlled explosion.
"I thought it was a bomb. My flat was shaking. It was a huge shock. The smoke went right across the river. It was insane.
"I just thought the worst."
A previous post from the London Borough of Greenwich on X had confirmed that a controlled explosion would be taking place on the location last week, however, it is unclear if the two are part of the same production.
Royal Mail worker shares what it means when they write 'P' on your letters
There's a reason why your letters are sometimes marked with a 'P'
Royal Mail are the unsung heroes of last-minute deliveries, crossing the UK no matter the weather, rain or shine.
The iconic red vans, more often than not, seem to deliver the goods when it counts.
But have you ever noticed when postie's write 'P' on your letters?
Along with all the stamps and numbering, it does make you wonder if they are speaking in a secret code.
Describing the sound as an 'earthquake' he said: "We could have been warned there was going to be a controlled explosion.
"I thought it was a bomb. My flat was shaking. It was a huge shock. The smoke went right across the river. It was insane.
"I just thought the worst."
A previous post from the London Borough of Greenwich on X had confirmed that a controlled explosion would be taking place on the location last week, however, it is unclear if the two are part of the same production.
Royal Mail worker shares what it means when they write 'P' on your letters
There's a reason why your letters are sometimes marked with a 'P'
Royal Mail are the unsung heroes of last-minute deliveries, crossing the UK no matter the weather, rain or shine.
The iconic red vans, more often than not, seem to deliver the goods when it counts.
But have you ever noticed when postie's write 'P' on your letters?
Along with all the stamps and numbering, it does make you wonder if they are speaking in a secret code.
Their red vans are everywhere. (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
But before conspiracy theories get out of hand, the actual reason has since been unearthed by a supposed Royal Mail worker who took to Reddit to explain what's going on.
On the forum, one person asked: "Can anybody tell me why all my letters the last few days have had a 'P' symbol written on them?"
Many others on the platform were as equally as confused, but thankfully the Royal Mail's posties were, yet again, on hand to deliver the goods.
It turns out that there is a very simple (and practical) explanation for the letter.
But before conspiracy theories get out of hand, the actual reason has since been unearthed by a supposed Royal Mail worker who took to Reddit to explain what's going on.
On the forum, one person asked: "Can anybody tell me why all my letters the last few days have had a 'P' symbol written on them?"
Many others on the platform were as equally as confused, but thankfully the Royal Mail's posties were, yet again, on hand to deliver the goods.
It turns out that there is a very simple (and practical) explanation for the letter.
Ever wondered what a 'P' written on your letter means? (Reddit)
The 'P' stands for parcel and is a useful way for postmen to remember there's also a parcel for the address, saving another trip back later in the day.
“It's the postie's way of reminding themselves that when they come to post your letter there's also a parcel for you," one person wrote.
"It means Parcel. For either yourself or the next delivery.It’s a reminder for the postman / postwoman," a second added.
"That's so they don't post your letter then find out halfway down the street they forgot to knock and give you your parcel," a third person joked, while another person added that a code such as 'P10' would mean there's a parcel for the house next door (number 10) but no letter.
Someone else said: "For what it's worth, this goes similarly for various delivery drivers to companies like Hermes. I know they can get a lot of s**t, but it's very driver dependent and some put a lot of work into it."
Now, it seems posties can sometimes get quite creative with their annotations as well, as one Redditor revealed they'd once had a completely unrelated shopping list written on the back of their mail.
"I've delivered all sorts of letters with stuff on the back. Reminders, Tracey telling Dave her pin code. Shopping lists etc etc," another person replied to the comment, confirming that letter doodles aren't something out of the ordinary for postmen.
"Don't assume it's the postie."
Mystery solved!Featured Image Credit: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images/Reddit
People are baffled to find out San Miguel beer isn't actually from Spain
"Head's on a wobble now. Reality doesn't make sense anymore."
People are baffled to find out that San Miguel beer isn’t really from Spain, and that its origins actually hail from a country more than 7,000 miles away.
San Miguel is often seen as a swig of sunshine that reminds many of us of sipping away happily on a cerveza while soaking up the rays on a Spanish beach.
Indeed, the head office for Cervezas San Miguel SLU - which is owned by Mahou San Miguel, one of Spain’s largest brewers - is based in Málaga on the Costa del Sol, according to its website.
But that’s just one part of what is actually a very complex global puzzle.
As with many international brands, the beer is brewed in various places across the world; the stuff you’re usually drinking in the UK is manufactured in Northampton for Carlsberg, which controls the brand over here - which is hardly a taste of the tropics, let’s face it.
The 'P' stands for parcel and is a useful way for postmen to remember there's also a parcel for the address, saving another trip back later in the day.
“It's the postie's way of reminding themselves that when they come to post your letter there's also a parcel for you," one person wrote.
"It means Parcel. For either yourself or the next delivery.It’s a reminder for the postman / postwoman," a second added.
"That's so they don't post your letter then find out halfway down the street they forgot to knock and give you your parcel," a third person joked, while another person added that a code such as 'P10' would mean there's a parcel for the house next door (number 10) but no letter.
Someone else said: "For what it's worth, this goes similarly for various delivery drivers to companies like Hermes. I know they can get a lot of s**t, but it's very driver dependent and some put a lot of work into it."
Now, it seems posties can sometimes get quite creative with their annotations as well, as one Redditor revealed they'd once had a completely unrelated shopping list written on the back of their mail.
"I've delivered all sorts of letters with stuff on the back. Reminders, Tracey telling Dave her pin code. Shopping lists etc etc," another person replied to the comment, confirming that letter doodles aren't something out of the ordinary for postmen.
"Don't assume it's the postie."
Mystery solved!Featured Image Credit: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images/Reddit
People are baffled to find out San Miguel beer isn't actually from Spain
"Head's on a wobble now. Reality doesn't make sense anymore."
People are baffled to find out that San Miguel beer isn’t really from Spain, and that its origins actually hail from a country more than 7,000 miles away.
San Miguel is often seen as a swig of sunshine that reminds many of us of sipping away happily on a cerveza while soaking up the rays on a Spanish beach.
Indeed, the head office for Cervezas San Miguel SLU - which is owned by Mahou San Miguel, one of Spain’s largest brewers - is based in Málaga on the Costa del Sol, according to its website.
But that’s just one part of what is actually a very complex global puzzle.
As with many international brands, the beer is brewed in various places across the world; the stuff you’re usually drinking in the UK is manufactured in Northampton for Carlsberg, which controls the brand over here - which is hardly a taste of the tropics, let’s face it.
San Miguel
Mahou San Miguel says it also has eight ‘beer production facilities’ in Spain and a further two in the USA.
So if the drink has now set roots all over the place, where did it all begin?
On the label, you’ll notice the beer has been going ‘since 1890’ - at which point it definitely wasn’t being made in Northampton.
The first San Miguel Brewery was actually founded as La Fábrica de Cerveza San Miguel in a neighbourhood called San Miguel in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.
A local businessman called Enrique MarĂa Barretto de Ycaza y Esteban had applied for a royal grant from Spain in 1889 so that he could set up a brewery in the Philippines, which was a Spanish colony at the time.
This means that, while the beer may have had clear Spanish links, its real home is this archipelagic country in South-East Asia.
Mahou San Miguel says it also has eight ‘beer production facilities’ in Spain and a further two in the USA.
So if the drink has now set roots all over the place, where did it all begin?
On the label, you’ll notice the beer has been going ‘since 1890’ - at which point it definitely wasn’t being made in Northampton.
The first San Miguel Brewery was actually founded as La Fábrica de Cerveza San Miguel in a neighbourhood called San Miguel in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.
A local businessman called Enrique MarĂa Barretto de Ycaza y Esteban had applied for a royal grant from Spain in 1889 so that he could set up a brewery in the Philippines, which was a Spanish colony at the time.
This means that, while the beer may have had clear Spanish links, its real home is this archipelagic country in South-East Asia.
San Miguel
It wasn’t until 1914 that San Miguel began to export, and it wasn’t even introduced in Spain until 1946.
The Spanish rights were eventually spun-off by the brewery in 1953 to become an independent business - the one now known as Mahou-San Miguel Group.
Over the past few years, the backstory has proven to a be a bit of a bombshell to beer lovers, with one tweeting: “Just learnt San Miguel is from the Philippines and not Spain. Head's on a wobble now. Reality doesn't make sense anymore.”
Someone else said a couple of years back: “Blows my mind that San Miguel is from the Philippines and not Spain.”
A third also said: “You really have to question your existence when you realise San Miguel is from the Philippines and not Spain.”
A fourth added: “I have found out tonight that San Miguel is not... I repeat not from Spain... who the hell knew it was from the Philippines?”
How’s that for some pub quiz knowledge?Featured Image Credit: JAY DIRECTO/AFP via Getty Images / Jason Todd/Getty
Published 19:02 18 Apr 2024 GMT+1
Woman leaves people seriously confused as they ‘spot’ baby in selfie
A Glasgow student was left stunned when she realised why her selfie was getting so much love on Instagram
Even though we were warned we shouldn't, we have all put our foot in it and asked a woman when she is due or what she's having, only for it to emerge that she's not actually pregnant.
So how do you deal with the unusual situation of spotting what appears to be a 'baby' in one of your friends' selfies without causing offence?
Well, this gang didn't pull any punches and just got right down to it when people started commenting 'congratulations' on her Instagram post.
It wasn’t until 1914 that San Miguel began to export, and it wasn’t even introduced in Spain until 1946.
The Spanish rights were eventually spun-off by the brewery in 1953 to become an independent business - the one now known as Mahou-San Miguel Group.
Over the past few years, the backstory has proven to a be a bit of a bombshell to beer lovers, with one tweeting: “Just learnt San Miguel is from the Philippines and not Spain. Head's on a wobble now. Reality doesn't make sense anymore.”
Someone else said a couple of years back: “Blows my mind that San Miguel is from the Philippines and not Spain.”
A third also said: “You really have to question your existence when you realise San Miguel is from the Philippines and not Spain.”
A fourth added: “I have found out tonight that San Miguel is not... I repeat not from Spain... who the hell knew it was from the Philippines?”
How’s that for some pub quiz knowledge?Featured Image Credit: JAY DIRECTO/AFP via Getty Images / Jason Todd/Getty
Published 19:02 18 Apr 2024 GMT+1
Woman leaves people seriously confused as they ‘spot’ baby in selfie
A Glasgow student was left stunned when she realised why her selfie was getting so much love on Instagram
Even though we were warned we shouldn't, we have all put our foot in it and asked a woman when she is due or what she's having, only for it to emerge that she's not actually pregnant.
So how do you deal with the unusual situation of spotting what appears to be a 'baby' in one of your friends' selfies without causing offence?
Well, this gang didn't pull any punches and just got right down to it when people started commenting 'congratulations' on her Instagram post.
Rebecca Mcgonigle's selfie caused chaos (Kennedy News and Media)
Rebecca Mcgonigle was left baffled when she started receiving messages wishing her and her supposed bundle of joy the best shortly after she'd uploaded a selfie to the social media platform last Monday.
The 25-year-old, from Glasgow, was sat in her bedroom and decided to take advantage of the 'good lighting' which was pouring in through the window.
Donning a green knit sweater and a white flowy skirt, the PHD student smiled sweetly in the cute snap.
But for people who saw it, the post was more of a birth announcement rather than a thirst trap - as they thought Jessica was clutching a newborn in her arms.
Rebecca Mcgonigle was left baffled when she started receiving messages wishing her and her supposed bundle of joy the best shortly after she'd uploaded a selfie to the social media platform last Monday.
The 25-year-old, from Glasgow, was sat in her bedroom and decided to take advantage of the 'good lighting' which was pouring in through the window.
Donning a green knit sweater and a white flowy skirt, the PHD student smiled sweetly in the cute snap.
But for people who saw it, the post was more of a birth announcement rather than a thirst trap - as they thought Jessica was clutching a newborn in her arms.
At least 'motherhood suits her' (Kennedy News and Media)
Rebecca was inundated with messages from her pals, while her acquaintances began flooding the comment section with congratulations from those who thought she'd embarked on the journey of motherhood.
The hilarious red alert from her friend read: "I love you so much right, but in your Instagram post I thought your knee was a baby's head and your skirt looks like a blanket. I did a double take and it really made me laugh."
While getting her head round that, comments such as 'motherhood looks so good on you' and 'I thought you were with child' were left under Rebecca's selfie.
Rebecca was inundated with messages from her pals, while her acquaintances began flooding the comment section with congratulations from those who thought she'd embarked on the journey of motherhood.
The hilarious red alert from her friend read: "I love you so much right, but in your Instagram post I thought your knee was a baby's head and your skirt looks like a blanket. I did a double take and it really made me laugh."
While getting her head round that, comments such as 'motherhood looks so good on you' and 'I thought you were with child' were left under Rebecca's selfie.
Congratulations? (Kennedy News and Media)
But it turns out that it was simply her choice of pose which made people think she had become a parent.
The way her knee and arm is positioned creates quite the optical illusion, which kind of makes it look like she is cradling a baby that's covered in some kind of white blanket.
Although most people would be deleting their entire Instagram account and any other trace of their existence online, the student found the whole thing hilarious and decided to leave her post up.
But it turns out that it was simply her choice of pose which made people think she had become a parent.
The way her knee and arm is positioned creates quite the optical illusion, which kind of makes it look like she is cradling a baby that's covered in some kind of white blanket.
Although most people would be deleting their entire Instagram account and any other trace of their existence online, the student found the whole thing hilarious and decided to leave her post up.
Rebecca was in stitches over the reaction (Kennedy News and Media)
She was simply glad that her family hadn't copped it first - but she revealed her boyfriend Neil Pitman's reaction was simply: "What the f**k?"
Instead, Rebecca changed the caption from 'wee sunny egg' so that she could clarify she was not a new mum and wrote: "I AM NOT WITH CHILD, THAT'S A KNEE."
Discussing the mix-up, she said: "The lighting was good so I thought I'd take a photo to post on social media and I just didn't realise.
"A couple of minutes after I posted it my friend texted me and I thought 'oh no' and then a bunch of people started messaging me. My knee looks like a baby's head and my skirt looks like a blanket.
"I thought 'what the f**k?' and wasn't sure whether to delete it but I thought I'd keep it up because it's funny.
"People were seriously asking if I'd had a baby and that was strange to reply to. I'm glad my family didn't see it first and panic.
'I wasn't embarrassed by it because it was funny and boyfriend just thought what the f**k is going on?"Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media
Updated 14:40 17 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 14:29 17 Jul 2024 GMT+1
Explosion at Paris nightclub leaves British bride-to-be in critical condition during her hen do
She experienced a 'freak and horrific incident' at Paris' Pachamama nightclub
She was simply glad that her family hadn't copped it first - but she revealed her boyfriend Neil Pitman's reaction was simply: "What the f**k?"
Instead, Rebecca changed the caption from 'wee sunny egg' so that she could clarify she was not a new mum and wrote: "I AM NOT WITH CHILD, THAT'S A KNEE."
Discussing the mix-up, she said: "The lighting was good so I thought I'd take a photo to post on social media and I just didn't realise.
"A couple of minutes after I posted it my friend texted me and I thought 'oh no' and then a bunch of people started messaging me. My knee looks like a baby's head and my skirt looks like a blanket.
"I thought 'what the f**k?' and wasn't sure whether to delete it but I thought I'd keep it up because it's funny.
"People were seriously asking if I'd had a baby and that was strange to reply to. I'm glad my family didn't see it first and panic.
'I wasn't embarrassed by it because it was funny and boyfriend just thought what the f**k is going on?"Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media
Updated 14:40 17 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 14:29 17 Jul 2024 GMT+1
Explosion at Paris nightclub leaves British bride-to-be in critical condition during her hen do
She experienced a 'freak and horrific incident' at Paris' Pachamama nightclub
A British bride-to-be has been left in critical condition following an explosion at a Paris nightclub.
Ffion Price from South Wales is now in hospital after celebrating her hen do in the French capital at the Pachamama nightclub on 6 July.
The incident which took place around midnight saw parts of the club ceiling and walls collapse on the fourth floor.
The explosion was caused by the explosion of the battery of an electric scooter, with three people in total left injured.
Ffion Price experienced a 'freak and horrific incident'. (GoFundMe)According to Ffion's cousin, the future bride 'suffered a fractured skull, another fracture in her ear and a bleed on the brain'.
Taking to GoFundMe, they wrote: "I am fundraising on behalf of my cousin Ffion and her family. On Saturday, 6 July, Ffion experienced a freak and horrific incident that turned what should have been one of the best weekends of her life upside down.
"A ceiling in a nightclub collapsed, seriously injuring her.
"As a result, Ffion suffered a fractured skull, another fracture in her ear and a bleed on the brain which required immediate surgery and a hospital stay in intensive care, she has also required surgery to her face.
"Ffion remains in a hospital in Paris with her family by her side and is not expected to return until at least next week.
"Understandably, Ffion and her family are distraught, especially since she and her fiancé Chris are due to get married next month.
The nightclub said that the incident left three people injured on the ground floor'. (Google Maps)
"I am hoping to raise money to support Ffion’s family with transport and accommodation whilst out in Paris.
"I am also hoping to make Ffion’s return home as comfortable as possible and to aid her recovery so she can marry the love of her life in just six weeks.
"All donations will go directly to Sarah, Ffion’s mam.
"Any help would be greatly appreciated.
"Thank you all so much for your donations so far, the response has been amazing and we are all extremely grateful."
Manager of the establishment, Phillipe Fatien, said there were 140 people at the club at the time of the incident.
A statement from the nightclub read: “The incident left three people injured on the ground floor.
“One seriously injured person was taken care of by emergency services and two others injured were treated at the scene.”
At the time of writing, £12,800 has been raised on the GoFundMe for Ffion, far exceeding the £2,500 target.
LADbible has contacted Pachamama nightclub for additional comment.
"I am hoping to raise money to support Ffion’s family with transport and accommodation whilst out in Paris.
"I am also hoping to make Ffion’s return home as comfortable as possible and to aid her recovery so she can marry the love of her life in just six weeks.
"All donations will go directly to Sarah, Ffion’s mam.
"Any help would be greatly appreciated.
"Thank you all so much for your donations so far, the response has been amazing and we are all extremely grateful."
Manager of the establishment, Phillipe Fatien, said there were 140 people at the club at the time of the incident.
A statement from the nightclub read: “The incident left three people injured on the ground floor.
“One seriously injured person was taken care of by emergency services and two others injured were treated at the scene.”
At the time of writing, £12,800 has been raised on the GoFundMe for Ffion, far exceeding the £2,500 target.
LADbible has contacted Pachamama nightclub for additional comment.
