Business owners have been warned that a Poundland engulfed in flames on a busy south east London high street could “collapse any minute” as 100 firefighters battle to bring the massive blaze under control.
Emergency services evacuated homes and ordered shops to remain closed after the huge fire erupted above the discount store on Penge High Street in the London Borough of Bromley, with crews called to the scene at approximately 4.30am on Thursday morning.
Around 25 people have been evacuated to a rest centre “as a precaution” whilst residents in the surrounding area are being urgently advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to thick black smoke billowing across the neighbourhood.
Fifteen Fire Engines Rush to Scene
The London Fire Brigade deployed fifteen fire engines and approximately 100 firefighters to tackle the blaze in the two-storey terraced building, where a large part of the ground floor was alight. Fire crews from Beckenham, Forest Hill, Woodside, West Norwood and other surrounding stations rushed to the scene following multiple emergency calls from the public.
Station Commander Craig Holloway, who was at the scene, confirmed that operations were being carried out to contain the fire to the shop and prevent it spreading to adjacent properties. “Firefighters are tackling a fire in a two storey terraced shop where a large part of the ground floor is alight,” he stated.
Dramatic footage captured at dawn showed orange flames towering above the rooftops of nearby houses, with firefighters using a 32-metre turntable ladder as a water tower to douse the inferno from above. The Brigade’s drone team was also deployed to provide the Incident Commander with greater situational awareness of the developing emergency.
The fire was brought under control at approximately 8.48am, more than four hours after crews first arrived, though firefighters remained at the scene continuing to dampen down hotspots. The London Fire Brigade confirmed there were no reports of any injuries.
High Street Remains Closed as Traffic Chaos Continues
Penge High Street remains completely closed to traffic, causing significant disruption to the busy south east London thoroughfare. Transport for London has warned commuters to avoid the area entirely, with multiple bus routes including the 75, 176, 194, 197, 227, 354, 356, 358 and N3 being diverted away from the normally bustling shopping district.
The closure has created chaos for morning commuters, with the high street serving as a major route connecting areas including Beckenham, Bromley, Crystal Palace and Sydenham. Local businesses have been unable to open, with several neighbouring properties evacuated as thick smoke continued to pour from the building.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade warned: “There is significant traffic disruption due to the number of appliances and the High Street is closed, therefore people are advised to avoid the area.”
Poundland Responds as Investigation Begins
Poundland has issued a statement expressing concern about the devastating fire at its Penge store. A spokesman for the discount retail chain said: “We were made aware of the fire in the early hours of this morning and are obviously concerned at what’s happened.”
The company added: “We’re sincerely grateful for the prompt attendance of the fire service and we’re on site alongside them, to help them in any way we can.”
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage, with the London Fire Brigade confirming that a full investigation will be launched once the scene is made safe. Fire investigators will examine the building to determine how the blaze started in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Council Opens Emergency Rest Centre for Evacuees
Bromley Council has activated its emergency response procedures, opening a rest centre nearby to support the 25 residents evacuated from their homes. Council officials are working closely with the emergency services to assist those affected by the dramatic early morning incident.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, praised the firefighters’ response: “On behalf of local residents we are enormously grateful to the firefighters who have been at the scene of this ferocious fire, with their professional dedication and bravery once again called upon.”
She acknowledged the impact on the local community, stating: “This is a very difficult time for all those in Penge but particularly local residents who have been evacuated because of the fire. We are reaching out to support evacuated residents in what is fast moving and changing situation.”
The council confirmed that High Street Penge would remain closed “for some time to come” as emergency services continue their work and structural engineers assess the damage to the building.
Witnesses Describe Dramatic Early Morning Scenes
Local residents were woken by the sound of sirens and the smell of smoke as emergency services descended on the normally quiet high street in the pre-dawn hours. One witness posted on social media platform X: “Fire broken out in Penge SE20 this morning. Hope no one is hurt.”
Video footage shared online showed the scale of the inferno, with flames visible from several streets away. Another resident described seeing the blaze at 5.30am, noting it was “still going” more than an hour after fire crews arrived.
The fire’s intensity prompted concerns about the structural integrity of the building, with some witnesses reporting they could hear sounds from within the structure as the flames consumed the interior. The heat from the fire was so intense that residents in neighbouring properties reported feeling it through their windows.
Penge Business Community Rallies Together
The fire has dealt a significant blow to Penge’s business community, with the High Street serving as the heart of this south east London suburb. The area, which sits between Crystal Palace, Beckenham and Sydenham, is home to numerous independent shops and has recently undergone regeneration efforts through the Penge SE20 Business Improvement District.
The Poundland store was a major anchor tenant on the high street, drawing shoppers from across the local area. Its potential loss represents a serious setback for the town centre, which like many British high streets has been working to maintain footfall in challenging economic conditions.
Local business owners expressed shock at the scale of the destruction, with many unable to access their own premises due to the ongoing emergency response. The extended closure of the high street is expected to have a significant economic impact on traders already facing difficult trading conditions.
Fire Safety Concerns Raised
The incident has raised questions about fire safety in older commercial buildings on British high streets. The two-storey terraced structure typical of many Victorian and Edwardian era shopping parades presents particular challenges for firefighters when blazes break out.
Fire safety experts note that such buildings often have interconnected roof spaces and party walls that can allow fires to spread rapidly between properties if not properly compartmentalised. The age of many high street buildings also means they may not have modern fire suppression systems installed.
The London Fire Brigade’s use of drone technology to assess the fire from above represents the increasing sophistication of firefighting techniques being deployed to tackle blazes in densely built urban areas. The 32-metre turntable ladder platform proved crucial in allowing crews to attack the fire from above when the intensity of the blaze made internal firefighting too dangerous.
Transport Links Severely Affected
The fire’s location on Penge High Street has caused widespread disruption to public transport across south east London. The area is normally well-served by multiple bus routes connecting it to central London, Bromley, Croydon and other key destinations.
Transport for London confirmed that diversions would remain in place indefinitely, affecting thousands of commuters who rely on buses passing through Penge. The nearby Penge East and Penge West railway stations remain open, though passengers are being warned to expect delays due to the increased foot traffic and emergency vehicles in the area.
The timing of the fire, beginning in the early hours but continuing through the morning rush hour, has maximised disruption for local residents trying to get to work and school. Local schools have advised parents to allow extra time for the school run due to the ongoing road closures.
As firefighters continue to monitor the scene and investigators prepare to begin their work determining the cause of this devastating blaze, the Penge community faces a long road to recovery. The potential structural collapse of the building remains a serious concern, with emergency services maintaining a significant presence to ensure public safety.
The full extent of the damage to this vital piece of Penge’s commercial infrastructure will only become clear once the building can be properly assessed, but the impact on this close-knit south east London community is already being keenly felt.
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