Explosions rock Hackney community garden as fire destroys crowdfunded carpentry workshop in east London

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026.

A volunteer described watching the carpentry workshop at the Garden of Earthly Delights on Graham Road, Hackney, burn to a charred shell after explosions were heard across east London just after 10pm on Wednesday. Residents next to the garden were evacuated as firefighters battled flames visible from across east London. The wooden workshop, set up less than two years ago after a crowdfunding campaign, trained local people in carpentry and tool skills. Police are investigating the cause.

A volunteer said he was 'devastated', adding: 'People have put so much effort in and now this — we will have to fundraise again.'