A significant blaze at a commercial property with flats above in Perry Vale, Forest Hill, has led to the evacuation of residents and ongoing firefighting efforts, causing major local disruption.
Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines have been engaged in battling a major blaze that broke out at a shop with residential flats above in Perry Vale, Forest Hill, south-east London. The fire began around 6.30 pm on Thursday and had been burning for more than three hours at the time of reports, affecting the ground, first, and second floors of the building, as well as a single-storey workshop at the rear.
The property involved includes a ground-floor shop known as Finches Emporium, a ski and snowboard store, and several flats above. Eyewitness videos and images shared on social media captured tall, bright flames and significant smoke billowing from the site, raising serious concerns for nearby residents. Consequently, around 15 people were evacuated from the surrounding buildings as a precaution. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has described the incident as protracted, with crews working through the night to fully extinguish the flames. A 32-metre turntable ladder was deployed to assist in tackling the fire from above, acting as a water tower to reach the upper levels. Fire service officials have urged local residents to keep windows and doors closed to minimise smoke inhalation risks.
Significant disruption is expected in the Forest Hill area due to the fire. Authorities have established a 25-metre cordon around the site and advised the public to avoid the vicinity. Traffic disruption is anticipated on key routes, including the A205 South Circular Road. Additionally, rail services via Forest Hill station are being affected as a result of the ongoing emergency response.
Station Commander Anthony Lewis emphasised the length and scale of the operation, noting that crews would be working through the night to bring the fire under control. The London Fire Brigade continues to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with local authorities to manage the impact on transport and community safety.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by emergency services when commercial premises with residential units above are involved in significant fires. The swift response and evacuation efforts contributed to avoiding injuries, underscoring the importance of prompt action in such emergencies.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from the London Fire Brigade, dated 16 October 2025, detailing a fire at a shop with flats above in Forest Hill, London. ([london-fire.gov.uk](https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2025/october/fire-at-shop-forest-hill/?utm_source=openai)) Press releases typically warrant a high freshness score due to their timely and original content. ([london-fire.gov.uk](https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2025/october/fire-at-shop-forest-hill/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Station Commander Anthony Lewis in the narrative match those found in the London Fire Brigade's press release, indicating they are original and not reused from earlier material. ([london-fire.gov.uk](https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2025/october/fire-at-shop-forest-hill/?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the London Fire Brigade, a reputable organisation, ensuring high reliability. ([london-fire.gov.uk](https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2025/october/fire-at-shop-forest-hill/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims in the narrative are consistent with information from multiple reputable sources, including the London Fire Brigade's press release and coverage by Sky News. ([news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/around-100-firefighters-tackle-shop-blaze-in-southeast-london-13451434?utm_source=openai)) The details about the fire's location, scale, and impact on the community are plausible and corroborated by these sources.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is a recent press release from the London Fire Brigade, detailing a fire at a shop with flats above in Forest Hill, London. The content is original, with direct quotes matching the press release, and the source is highly reliable. The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple reputable sources, leading to a high confidence in the assessment.
