Blaze Rips Through Thornton Heath Flats as Firefighters Race to Rescue
Firefighters are battling a fierce blaze at a multi-dwelling block on Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath. Multiple fire engines and specialist rescue teams have been rushed to the scene to tackle the inferno.
Major Emergency Response Launched
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was alerted just after 5.30pm on Sunday, February 16, following reports of a well-developed fire inside a flat. Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), were deployed amid fears the property was occupied during the fire.
Ten fire engines and roughly 70 firefighters are currently on site, with a hose-laying vehicle brought in to secure additional water supplies and help douse the flames. The fire is burning in the roof space of the two-floor residential block.
Road Closures and Travel Disruption
Police have shut Parchmore Road at its junction with Beulah Road to allow emergency crews free access. Bus services, including route 250, have been diverted due to the closures, causing significant disruption in the area.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaotic Scenes
Locals reported thick black smoke billowing from the building as flames shot from windows. One witness said, “It was chaos—sirens everywhere, and you could see the flames coming out of the windows.”
Another added, “We saw people running out of the building, and the firefighters were rushing in with breathing apparatus. It’s really worrying.”
Fire Brigade Update and Investigation Underway
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson at the scene said, “We have deployed fire engines to a well-developed fire in a residential property on Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath. Crews are working quickly to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of anyone inside the property.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known. Fire investigators will begin assessing the scene once the blaze is fully controlled. Authorities warn of ongoing traffic impacts as the emergency response continues.
