Fire crews tackle blaze at Forest Hill shop

Fire crews tackle blaze at Forest Hill shop
Credit: bbc

London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A major fire broke out at a ground floor shop in Forest Hill, South East London, prompting a large-scale emergency response with 15 fire engines and about 100 firefighters. Residents nearby were urged to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area due to smoke and safety concerns.

Large Fire Erupts at Forest Hill Shop

A significant blaze erupted at a property on Perry Vale in Forest Hill, London, affecting a ground-floor shop with residential flats situated above. According to the London Fire Brigade, the incident began at 18:27 BST on October 16, 2025, with emergency services receiving 49 calls reporting the fire.​

Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were dispatched to combat the fire. The Brigade deployed teams from several fire stations, including Forest Hill, Lewisham, Beckenham, and West Norwood, to assist at the scene.​

Firefighting Efforts and Equipment Used

A 32-meter turntable ladder was used as a water tower to douse the flames from above, demonstrating the scale and intensity of the blaze. The London Fire Brigade’s use of this elevated platform ladder was crucial in accessing and fighting the fire effectively at height given the residential flats above the shop.​

The operation required coordinated efforts from multiple crews working under challenging conditions to contain the blaze and mitigate damage to adjoining structures.

Public Safety Measures

Authorities established a 25-meter cordon around the incident site to ensure public safety, directing local residents and passersby to avoid the area. Significant traffic disruption is expected in Forest Hill as emergency response and safety protocols are maintained.​

Residents in the area were specifically advised to keep their windows and doors closed to reduce exposure to toxic smoke generated by the fire.​

Cause of the Fire and Ongoing Investigation

At this stage, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. London Fire Brigade has stated that investigations will be conducted once the fire is extinguished and the scene is secured. No immediate reports of casualties or injuries have been confirmed by emergency services.​

Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that any residual hazards are managed.

Community Impact and Response

The fire has deeply affected the Forest Hill community, where the shop and flats were located in close proximity to the local Forest Hill railway station, as seen from the flames visible from the station platform.​

Emergency crews received commendations from local residents on social media for their swift and brave response to the challenging situation.​

DetailInformation
LocationPerry Vale, Forest Hill, London
Time of Incident18:27 BST, October 16, 2025
Fire Engines Involved15
Firefighters DeployedApproximately 100
Equipment Used32-meter turntable ladder (water tower)
Area AffectedGround floor shop, above flats
Public Safety Measures25-meter cordon, windows and doors closed advice
Status of Fire CauseUnder investigation