A fierce fire broke out just before 6pm on March 25 at a commercial property on Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey.
60 Firefighters Battle Intense Flames
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters rushed to the scene. The ground-floor shop was completely destroyed, while a small section of a first-floor flat also suffered fire damage.
Child Saved Using Fire Escape Hood
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a fire escape hood to lead a child to safety from a third-floor flat. Station Commander Tony Perks said, “Initial crews faced a very intense fire on arrival and worked swiftly to bring it under control and ensure residents in flats above the shop were safe.”
These hoods, introduced after the Grenfell Tower fire in 2018, offer up to 15 minutes of protection against toxic smoke and gases.
Fire Under Control, Investigation Underway
The blaze was under control by 7.08pm. Fire crews from multiple stations, including Dockhead, Old Kent Road, and Whitechapel, battled the flames. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
Mr Perks warned, “There are road closures in place, which are expected to remain for several hours this evening, and we recommend people continue to avoid the area.”
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
