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Large fire breaks out at Mitcham industrial site

Amy ClarkeLondon
News imageLondon Fire Brigade Firefighters stand beside a London Fire Brigade engine as thick black smoke rises from a large fire behind nearby buildings in Mitcham. Emergency crews have cordoned off the area while tackling the blaze at a workshop and scaffolding yard.London Fire Brigade
Twenty fire engines were called to the blaze in Mitcham

Fire crews will continue to work overnight to fully extinguish a large fire which broke out at an industrial site in south London, sending thick black smoke across the area.

The premises contain a workshop, tyre centre and scaffolding yard. The fire spread to about eight hectares (nearly 20 acres) of surrounding scrubland, as well as part of a house.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) sent about 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines to the scene near Carshalton Road in Mitcham.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and there are currently no reports of any injuries. Multiple hotspots remain alight, but the fire was declared under control by the LFB at 20:28 BST.

News imageLFB Smoke from large fire above a yellow field, with trees on the horizon. LFB
The fire spread to scrubland around the industrial estate

More than 70 emergency calls were received by the control room from about 16:30 BST, and personnel from Mitcham, Wallington and Norbury stations were sent to the scene.

Passengers hoping to travel through Mitcham Junction should check the status of their trains as the railway remains affected by the fire and some services have been cancelled.

Road closures have also been put in place on London Road and Carshalton Road at the junctions of Willow Lane, Goat Road and Hackbridge Road.

Station Commander Jim Berry, who attended the scene, said: "Firefighters have worked hard this evening and have now brought this fire in Mitcham under control.

"Firefighting operations will continue overnight as crews fully extinguish the fire and dampen down hotspots, so please continue to avoid the area if you can."

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