Penge High Street fire damages Poundland store

Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were deployed in the early hours of Thursday to tackle a major fire that ripped through a two storey terraced shop on Penge High Street in southeast London, officials said. Fire crews were first called at about 4:30 a.m. and worked through the morning to bring flames that had engulfed much of a ground-floor Poundland store under control, with neighbouring properties evacuated as a precaution.

London Fire Brigade said, "Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire on High Street in Penge." Crews from multiple stations including Beckenham, Forest Hill, Woodside and West Norwood were mobilised. Firefighters used a 32 metre turntable ladder as a water tower to attack the blaze from above, while the brigade's drone team provided aerial situational awareness to the incident commander.

Residents and businesses near the scene were advised to keep windows and doors closed because of heavy smoke. The high street was closed to traffic and authorities warned people to avoid the area, causing significant disruption to local roads and public transport. Emergency diversions were put in place and some bus services were...