A huge fire has ripped through a shop and flats in a south London neighbourhood.
Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were called to Forest Hill late on Thursday evening, after a blaze broke out at a ground-floor shop situated below a number of flats.
A 25-metre cordon was put in place and locals were warned to avoid the area and close their windows.
An image posted on social media by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) showed firefighters outside skiing and snowboarding store Finches Emporium.
Footage from the scene shows a towering cloud of smoke and flames tearing through a building as locals scramble around.
Part of the ground floor shop and single-storey workshop at the rear of the store remained alight early on Friday morning, although firefighters said the blaze was under control.
Big fire in Forest Hill, London.
— Tony 🇬🇧 ✝️ (@TonyL_01) October 16, 2025
Firefighters are at the scene. pic.twitter.com/ZZIDhcD2BO
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: "Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire at a property on Perry Vale in Forest Hill.
“The fire is affecting a ground-floor shop, which has flats situated above. People in the local area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke travel.
"A 25-metre cordon is currently in place and the public are advised to avoid the area at this time. Significant traffic disruption can be expected in the Forest Hill area.
We remain at a fire in Forest Hill affecting a shop and flats above. This will be a protracted incident with crews working through the night to fully extinguish the fire.
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) October 16, 2025
Please continue to avoid the area at this time.
(📸from earlier on in incident)https://t.co/0liLro438Y pic.twitter.com/vVgDFw2ARG
“The Brigade received the first of 49 calls at 1827 and Control Officers have mobilised crews from Forest Hill, Lewisham, Beckenham, West Norwood and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
“A 32-metre turntable ladder is also in attendance and is being used as a water tower to extinguish the fire from above. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time."
Forest Hill tube station closed as firefighters tackled the blaze, while “significant traffic disruption” was expected.
TfL warned commuters to replan their journeys.
A spokesperson for TfL said: “This station is part closed - Southbound trains are not serving this station while emergency services respond to a fire alert.”
Trains were able to resume their normal services around midnight.
