A major blaze at a block of converted flats on Belgrave Walk in Mitcham was brought under control after a large-scale response from London Fire Brigade, with no injuries reported and a rest centre opened for residents forced from their homes. Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines tackled the fire, which tore through the roof spaces of the ex-townhouses on Saturday afternoon. The Brigade said it took the first of more than 60 calls at 15:10 BST and declared the incident under control by 17:53.
What happened on Belgrave Walk
The fire affected the roof spaces of several flats within a terrace of converted former townhouses in South London. The scale of the incident prompted a large attendance, with crews and appliances converging on Belgrave Walk after the Brigade’s control room received dozens of 999 calls about smoke and flames visible from the area. Key time markers shared by the Brigade indicate the first call came in at 15:10 BST on 25 July, with the fire brought under control at 17:53 the same day. Further details are available via the London Fire Brigade’s incidents page.
How crews brought the blaze under control
Firefighters deployed a 32-metre turntable ladder to gain height and deliver water onto the affected roof spaces, while teams worked from multiple points to contain fire spread across the terrace. The Brigade also used its drone capability to provide aerial imagery, giving incident commanders a clearer view of hotspots and roof voids and helping to direct resources to where they were most effective. After the main seats of fire were tackled, crews remained on scene to carry out damping-down operations and systematic searches of the affected buildings to ensure the site was safe.
The turntable ladder and drone support are part of the Brigade’s standard toolkit for complex, multi-storey incidents, allowing firefighters to work more safely and efficiently when roof structures are involved. Such equipment is particularly valuable where fire can travel unseen through voids above flats, as appears to have been the case on Belgrave Walk.
Residents displaced and support in place
Around 35 residents were displaced as a result of the blaze. A rest centre was established at a local church to support those affected, providing immediate assistance while assessments of the buildings continue. With no injuries reported, the priority for local agencies has been to ensure residents have access to shelter and advice while the structural condition of the properties is evaluated and utilities are made safe.
Those seeking updates on the incident and safety advice can follow information posted by the Brigade on its incidents page, which collates summaries of ongoing and recent operations across the capital.
Cause under investigation
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Firefighters conducted systematic searches as part of their post-incident work, which typically supports fire investigation teams in establishing how and where a blaze started and whether any contributing factors were present. No further details have been confirmed at this stage.
Context and recent large-scale responses
London has seen a number of large, complex firefighting operations this year, underscoring the importance of robust evacuation plans and good building fire safety. Earlier coverage includes the Peckham Rye Lane fire and the Brixton waste-site blaze, each requiring significant resources and coordination to protect people and limit damage.
What happens next
With the Mitcham incident brought under control, attention turns to determining the cause and ensuring the affected buildings are safe to re-enter. Firefighters remained on scene for damping down and safety checks, a routine step to prevent re-ignition and to identify any hidden hotspots. Residents displaced by the blaze will continue to be supported through the rest centre while property managers and local authorities assess next steps.
Anyone living in similar converted properties may wish to review basic fire safety measures, including keeping escape routes clear and understanding evacuation guidance posted in their building.
