Firefighters were called to South End,Croydon at just after 1am following reports of a building fire.
The incident escalated rapidly triggering the deployment of four fire engines, command support units, and fire investigation officers from surrounding stations from the London Fire Brigade.
The presence of flammable cooking materials and gas supplies in restaurant premises often poses additional risks in such scenarios, but LFB confirmed the fire was contained to the premises and no injuries were reported.
The affected building houses Perfect Chicken a well-known local takeaway specialising in grilled chicken, and is located on a busy stretch of South End that features a number of eateries and residential properties.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway, led by the LFB’s Fire Investigation Unit (FIU). Early indications suggest the fire may have started in the rear kitchen area, but this has not been officially confirmed.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“Crews responded swiftly and professionally to a serious fire in a commercial premises on South End. Thanks to their efforts, the fire was contained and prevented from spreading to neighbouring properties. A full investigation into the cause will follow.”
The fire is the latest in a string of incidents in the area, and local councillors have called for renewed focus on fire safety awareness in commercial kitchens.
