The London Fire Brigade were called at 4.30 am, and quickly mobilised more than 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines from across South London to get the blaze under control.
On behalf of everyone in Beckenham and Penge, I would like to once again thank the London Fire Brigade for their swift and professional response, and to every firefighter on the scene for their dedication and bravery.
With thanks to the London Fire Brigade and the rest of the emergency services, thankfully no one was injured.
But dozens of families in nearby properties were evacuated immediately, and it took some up to a week to return because of concerns about smoke or structural damage to their homes.
The Penge fire was incredibly challenging for many – but it also showed the best of our community.
Within hours, Reverend Jessica Smith and the team at St John’s Church had opened their doors, turning the church hall into a welfare centre – a calm refuge for people evacuated from their homes, offering warmth, reassurance and cups of tea when they were needed most.
Local charity Penge Lunch Club, run by Karen Britton and supported by local volunteers including Penge Councillor Kathy Bance, extended its welcome to even more vulnerable residents that day.
In a wonderful act of kindness, an anonymous woman at Penge Sainsbury’s overheard them buying supplies – and insisted on paying for their entire shopping bill!
Our local businesses showed the same spirit: the Pawleyne Arms offered free soft drinks to firefighters, while Penge McDonald’s, led by manager Asjid, handed out over 100 free breakfasts, teas and coffees to the London Fire Brigade and families forced to evacuate.
We saw the same spirit of care for others at local schools, including Harris Academy Primary Kent House and their brilliant Principal Rob Hyneman, who went beyond the call of duty to support families and children impacted.
This summer, The Sunday Times named Penge and SE20 ‘the coolest place to live in London’.
I think it might be the kindest place to live too.
The response to the fire showed the best of Penge’s incredible community spirit where everyone pulls together and supports each other when they need it most.
That is something we can all be proud of.
