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Telegraph
16 minutes ago
- Telegraph
‘Severe' train delays expected after huge fire in South Harrow
Commuters are set to face major train disruptions on the Piccadilly line on Friday morning after a large fire engulfed railway arches in South Harrow overnight. Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines have been deployed to the scene, where the fire is affecting several railway arches and surrounding businesses, including vehicle workshops. Early in the fire, several gas cylinders exploded. Firefighters later removed two additional cylinders and cooled them to prevent further risk. The Piccadilly Underground line, which runs over the railway arches, is expected to be 'severely impacted' as a result of the blaze, with major delays expected when services resume after 5am. Crews are expected to stay at the scene working to extinguish the fire throughout the morning. Thick smoke poured through the railway arches as firefighters battled the blaze in the early hours. Two 32-metre turntable ladders are being used as water towers to help extinguish the fire from above. Local residents have been advised by authorities to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke spreading in the area. Road closures are in place on Roxeth Green Avenue, near the junction of The Arches, and are expected to remain until the fire is under control. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and no injuries have been reported at this time.


Top Gear
4 hours ago
- Top Gear
Land Rover's new Defender Octa ‘Black' does exactly what it says on the tin
Land Rover's new Defender Octa 'Black' does exactly what it says on the tin Aside from the menacing exterior paint, the interior gets fresh detailing and fancy new upholstery. We like Skip 12 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 12 Fresh off the release of its new Range Rover Sport SV 'Black', Land Rover has now applied the same approach to its wide-arched Defender Octa. Yep, looks like a proper thug. That paint is called 'Narvik Black', and it's apparently the 'truest black in the Defender paint palette'. Customers can also add a protective matte film over it… because caution is precisely what this car is all about. Oh no, that's not right is it... Advertisement - Page continues below As many as 30 exterior elements have also been reskinned in either gloss or satin black for the erm Black, including the quad-exhaust tips, badging and even the underbody armour. Your choice of 20 or 22in alloys will get the same treatment, as do the brake calipers nestled in behind. It's a similar ethos inside, featuring darker detailing across the dashboard, centre console and almost every piece of trim and switchgear. Chopped carbon fibre can also be optioned into certain sections if you're the kind of person that thinks Mansory makes some tasteful SUVs. The final change involves the seats, which gain unique patterns and detailed stitching, and debut a new type of semi-aniline leather and Kvadrat fabric upholstery. Otherwise, it's a familiar 13.1in multimedia screen and a 15-speaker Meridian sound system. No technical upgrades are mentioned either, so the Octa Black retains the 626bhp/553lb ft twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8, good for 0-62mph in four seconds across just about any environment. Explains why Land Rover fancies its chances at the forthcoming Dakar Rally. Advertisement - Page continues below We've yet to hear about a release date or pricing for the Black, but do consider that a standard Octa costs at least £148k. Things do be getting expensive these days. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*


The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Little-known car brand reveals new motor ‘to rival iconic Land Rover model'… and it's coming to UK in months
A LITTLE known car brand has revealed a new motor that will rival an iconic Land Rover model and it's coming to the UK in just months. The premium hybrid off-roader will be part of the manufacturers new line-up as it prepares to break into UK markets. 4 4 In a direct challenge to the Land Rover Defender, Denza are bringing their new BYD Denza B5 to the UK. With competitive off-road stats and levels of power only seen in supercars, the B5 is a premium plug-in hybrid 4x4. It was launched in China last year as the Bao 5 and is one of three new models from BYD's SUV sub-brand Fangchengbao. But it's likely to be named Denza in the UK and positioned as a sibling to the Z9 GT which will also be hitting UK markets next year. Denza is a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz and was founded in 2010 but it's wholly owned by the Chinese company. The motor will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next week ahead of the 4x4 hitting the market in early 2026. The company's president, Stella Li, told Autocar last year that she predicted the SUVs"will be very popular in the UK". She said: 'In the UK, the roads are narrow but we love these big SUV off-road cars, so Fangchengbao will be here." BYD has so far been absent in the large premium SUVs sector which is highly popular. No specification details have been released for the new B5, but is expected to largely resemble the car in China. It uses a "DMO Super Hybrid Off-Road" ladder-frame platform and its power comes from a plug-in hybrid system centre around a 1.5 litre turbo engine with an electric motor on each axle. It can reach 677bhp, more than any Defender, including the V8 Octa. It's considerable battery can supposedly reach a range of up to 78 miles but that's likely to be around 50 miles in practice. The B5 is part of BYD's effort to increase its hybrid car offering against a backdrop of wavering EV uptake in Europe. Eight new laws hitting drivers from July 1 including 'touch' rule where you can face jail over where you place hands The core BYD line-up is also set to see a new arrival next year with the Seal 06, a plug-in hybrid in the mould of the BMW 3 Series. The B5 announcement comes as The Sun reported in April that Denza was readying its stylish Denza Z9 GT. It will launch in Europe this year, with a UK launch expected for 2026. The luxury estate, which is looking to break into the same market occupied by the Porsche Panamera and Porsche Taycan, was designed by former Audi and Alfa Romeo designer Wolfgang Egger. The Sun also reported in March that BYD is readying a low-cost, pint-sized hatchback called the Dolphin Surf which is to be launched in the UK later this year. BYD is hoping to compete with the likes of Dacia and Fiat with the new release - which will be one of the cheapest available to buy from new. The upcoming release comes as BYD looks to establish itself as a major player in the global car market - with the lofty goal of becoming the world's largest car maker. The UK is seen as a key market for its success, with BYD's brand awareness increasing from 1% at the start of 2024 to 31% by the end of the year. 4 4