A huge blaze has broken out at a London nursery – with dozens of firefighters battling to bring the flames under control.
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were scrambled to the scene in Lewisham, southeast London on Saturday evening.
Videos circulating on social media show the roof of Rushey Green Nursery in Catford engulfed by flames as smoke billowed into the air and horrified locals watched on.
London Fire Brigade said they first received calls about the fire at around 6.40pm and mobilised crews from nearby fire stations.
They said the roof of a three-storey building was alight and ‘nearly half the roof was destroyed by fire’.
Residents were advised to ‘keep their windows and doors shut’ due to the heavy smoke.
No injuries have been reported.
Road closures are also in place causing traffic and congestion with locals urged to avoid the area.
A huge blaze has broken out at a London nursery – with dozens of firefighters battling to bring the flames under control
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were scrambled to the scene in Lewisham, southeast London on Saturday evening
An investigation has now been launched into the cause of the blaze which is currently unknown.
One social media user said: ‘Very bad fire, I was trying to get through and could smell the smoke in my car.’
‘So sad to see, it was one well loved and established nursery,’ added another.
A third said: ‘Roof well alight. Lots of emergency services there and tons of smoke. Keep those windows closed.’
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: ‘Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire on Rushey Green in Lewisham tonight.
‘Firefighters tackled a fire at a three-storey nursery where nearly half of the roof was destroyed by fire. There were no injuries reported.’
‘Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors shut due to the heavy smoke.
‘The Brigade’s Control Office took the first of 17 calls at 1837 and mobilised fire crews from Bromley, East Greenwich, Peckham and other surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control at 21:25.’
‘Firefighters will remain at the scene for the next few hours, residents are advised to avoid the area as there are road closures in place causing traffic congestion in the surrounding roads.’
‘The cause of the fire is under investigation.’
James J Walsh, Councillor for Rushey Green, posted a video of the inferno to earlier this evening.
He said: ‘There is an active fire incident on Rushey Green at The Rushey Green Nursery. Please amend your journeys and expect delays.’
According to their website, the nursery provides care for children from 3 months to five years old.
