Major Fire Engulfs London Nursery, Investigation Underway
Dozens of firefighters battled a significant blaze that erupted at a well-established London nursery on Saturday evening. The incident, which occurred at Rushey Green Nursery in Catford, southeast London, saw a swift response from emergency services.
Eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters were dispatched to the scene following initial calls received by the London Fire Brigade around 6:40pm. Upon arrival, crews were confronted with a dramatic scene, with footage circulating on social media depicting the roof of the three-storey building engulfed in flames. Thick smoke billowed into the night sky, observed by concerned residents in the vicinity.
Key Details of the Incident:
- Location: Rushey Green Nursery, Catford, southeast London.
- Time of First Call: Approximately 6:40pm on Saturday.
- Emergency Response: Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters.
- Extent of Damage: Nearly half of the nursery’s roof was destroyed by the fire.
- Injuries: No injuries have been reported.
- Public Advice: Residents in the surrounding area were advised to keep their windows and doors shut due to the heavy smoke.
- Traffic Impact: Road closures were implemented, leading to traffic congestion and disruption. Residents were urged to avoid the area.
- Investigation: An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched.
London Fire Brigade confirmed that the fire involved the roof of the three-storey building. The scale of the inferno necessitated a substantial response, with crews mobilised from various surrounding fire stations, including Bromley, East Greenwich, and Peckham. The brigade’s Control Office managed a total of 17 calls related to the incident.
The fire was brought under control by 9:25pm, though firefighters remained at the scene for several hours afterwards to ensure the situation was fully managed and to damp down any remaining hot spots. The closure of roads in the vicinity caused considerable traffic delays, impacting local journeys.
Local officials acknowledged the incident, with Councillor James J Walsh for Rushey Green posting a video of the fire and advising residents to alter their travel plans due to expected delays. The Rushey Green Nursery is known to provide childcare services for children aged from three months to five years old, adding to the concern felt by the community.
Reactions on social media highlighted the distress and concern felt by those witnessing the event. One user described the fire as “very bad” and noted the strong smell of smoke even from within their car. Another expressed sadness at the sight, acknowledging the nursery as “well loved and established.” A third commenter observed the intensity of the flames and the significant emergency service presence, reiterating the advice to keep windows closed.
The London Fire Brigade has stated that the cause of the blaze is currently unknown and is the subject of an ongoing investigation. The swift actions of the firefighters prevented the fire from spreading further and, most importantly, ensured that no one was injured during the incident. The community awaits the findings of the investigation into how this significant fire began.
