Peckham fire on Rye Lane under control, 100 firefighters

A major fire that broke out on Rye Lane in Peckham late Thursday night has been brought under control after a large-scale emergency response. The blaze, which affected a department store and a storage unit, sent thick plumes of smoke over the south London neighborhood and prompted widespread safety advisories.

The London Fire Brigade received the first of more than 30 emergency calls at 8:54 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. Fifteen fire engines and approximately 100 firefighters were deployed to the scene, with crews from Peckham, Old Kent Road, Brixton, and surrounding stations responding. Two 32-metre turntable ladders were used to tackle the flames from above.

Station Commander Craig Abbott, who attended the scene, confirmed the fire was under control by 11:50 p.m. He stated that at its height, a department store was alight. Firefighters remained on site through the night to fully extinguish the blaze and dampen down hotspots.

Officials advised residents to keep windows and doors closed due to the significant amount of smoke produced. Traffic in the area was heavily disrupted, and the public was urged to avoid Rye Lane. Southeastern railway confirmed that trains would not stop at...