Travel chaos has erupted after a massive blaze broke out near a London train station with dozens of firefighters battling the inferno.
The fire in the Forest Hill area of south London began at around 6.30pm on Thursday, just metres from the borough’s railway platforms.
It ripped through a building with a ground floor shop, basement and flats on two floors above on Perry Vale, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
The fire caused ‘significant damage’ to it and a storage area out the back of it, where it is believed to have accidentally started, due to ‘hot works’ in the workshop behind the building.
One man was injured but did not need hospital treatment. Two people and one dog were forced to flee the first-floor flat before fire crews arrived.
They climbed out of a window onto a flat roof, before members of the public below helped them down.
Around 15 residents of surrounding buildings were evacuated and taken to a local authority rest centre, where a handful were forced to remain overnight.
Around 100 firefighters and some 15 fire engines from the capital’s fire service worked through the night to put out the blaze, completing this at 11.44pm.
The fire (pictured) in the Forest Hill area of south London began at around 6.30pm on Thursday evening, just metres from the borough’s railway station
The blaze (pictured) is ‘affecting’ a ground floor shop on Perry Vale which has flats above it, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB). The cause is currently unknown
The first of a huge 49 calls about the fire (pictured) came in to emergency services at 6.27pm
Paramedics from London Ambulance Service also rushed to the scene but did not need to provide care to any patients.
Shocking pictures showed enormous orange flames and huge billowing clouds of black smoke, engulfing a property on a street lined with shops.
And the inferno saw Forest Hill station temporarily closed due to travelling smoke, causing massive disruption to rail passengers.
No trains were expected to be able to pass through the terminus until 10.30pm, according to National Rail.
And in particular, as of around 8pm, London Overground trains to Crystal Palace and West Croydon were unable to call at the station.
Tickets were being accepted on buses and other Southern rail services between London Bridge and London Victoria including those which travel via East Croydon.
But Southern itself also warned certain alternative bus routes may also be diverted or disrupted due to the size of fire.
Drivers were affected too, with ‘significant traffic disruption’ throughout the borough, including on the busy A205 South Circular Road.
Perry Vale was still closed to traffic on Friday but the train station reopened on Friday morning.
A handful crews were still on the scene at that time, helping with the investigation, talking to residents and businesses and extinguishing ‘hotspots’.
Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed amid the smoke.
It was recommended the public avoid the area on the night of the incident. A 25-metre cordon is still in place and
The first of a huge 49 calls came in to emergency services at 6.27pm.
Crews from Forest Hill but also nearby boroughs Lewisham, Beckenham and West Norwood, along with others, were immediately dispatched.
They came with two 32-metre turntable ladders, which were used as water towers to put out the fire from above. A drone was also used to give firefighters oversight.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jamie Jenkins, who was incident commander, said on Friday: ‘Firefighters were met with a fully-developed fire and they worked extremely hard for several hours to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring properties.
‘This was a protracted incident with crews working through the night to fully extinguish the fire.
‘We deployed two of our 32-metre turntable ladders as water towers to help put out the fire from above.
‘Whilst the fire was ongoing, we advised people in the local area to keep their windows and doors closed due the smoke travel from the incident.
‘This smoke travel also resulted in the temporary closure of Forest Hill Station.
‘An investigation into this fire remains ongoing; however I can confirm that the fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have originated in a storage area.
‘A small number of crews remain at the scene today extinguishing hotspots and assisting with the investigation.’
Forest Hill station commander Mike Watts said on Friday: ‘A 25-metre cordon remains in place and Perry Vale is currently closed to traffic; however the station reopened earlier this morning.
‘The Brigade has worked closely with the local authority to support those affected by this fire.
‘We will continue to have a visible presence in the area and will be liaising with local residents and businesses, sharing fire safety advice with them.’
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: ‘Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire at a property on Perry Vale in Forest Hill.
‘The fire is affecting a ground floor shop, which has flats situated above.
‘People in the local area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke travel.
A 25-metre cordon is in place and it is recommended the public avoid the area
Drivers have been affected too, with ‘significant traffic disruption’ throughout the borough, including on the busy A205 South Circular Road
Fire crews came with a 32-metre turntable ladder, which is being used as a water tower to put out the fire from above
Shocking pictures show enormous orange flames and huge billowing clouds of black smoke
Around 100 firefighters and some 15 fire engines (pictured) from the London Fire Brigade are attempting to put out the blaze
It is understood the inferno (pictured) has seen Forest Hill station temporarily closed, causing massive disruption to rail passengers
Residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed amid the smoke
‘A 25-metre cordon is currently in place and the public are advised to avoid the area at this time.
‘Significant traffic disruption can be expected in the Forest Hill area, including in the A205 South Circular Road. Rail services via Forest Hill station are also being affected as a result of this fire.
‘The Brigade received the first of 49 calls at 1827 and Control Officers have mobilised crews from Forest Hill, Lewisham, Beckenham, West Norwood and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
‘A 32-metre turntable ladder is also in attendance and is being used as a water tower to extinguish the fire from above.
‘The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.’
An update the brigade issued on X at around 9.30pm reads: ‘Firefighters continue to tackle a fire affecting a shop and workshop in Forest Hill.
‘The incident is causing traffic disruption and also affecting passengers for Forest Hill station.’
A spokesperson for Southern rail said: ‘A fire on the property near the railway at Forest Hill means trains are unable to call at this station, and will be revised.
‘Disruption is expected until 22:30.
‘If you are travelling to or from Forest Hill you will need to use Sydenham as an alternative station this evening and allow an extra 20 minutes to complete your journey.
‘London Fire Brigade are currently dealing with a large fire near the station causing the station to be closed until further notice.
If you are planning to travel to or from Forest Hill tonight you will need to use Sydenham as an alternative station and use local London Buses to complete your journey.
‘Please be advised that due to the size of the fire, London Bus services in the area will also be affected.’
A previous update reads: ‘A large fire has broken out in the Forest Hill area close to the station. Because of this the station has been shut.
‘Services can still run through the station but will not be able to call.’
A post on X from National Rail reads: ‘No trains at Forest Hill expected until 22.30.
‘To help you complete your journey tonight your ticket will be accepted on the following at no extra cost: alternative Southern services between London Bridge and London Victoria including travelling via East Croydon; London bus services.’
A previous update it issued at around 8pm reads: ‘London Overground trains running towards Crystal Palace / West Croydon are unable to call at Forest Hill due to a fire on a property near the railway.’
