Around 70 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) are battling a blaze in a high-rise residential block in Catford, southeast London. The fire broke out on Rosenthal Road, with flames engulfing two flats on the ninth and tenth floors. Emergency services received close to 50 calls reporting the incident, prompting a large-scale response. Ten fire engines were dispatched to the scene, with crews from Forest Hill, Greenwich, Deptford, and surrounding stations working together to bring the fire under control. Firefighters were first alerted at 12:51 p.m., and by 2:14 p.m., they had managed to contain the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and officials have not yet reported any injuries. However, London Ambulance Service (LAS) deployed multiple resources, including ambulance crews and a Hazardous Area Response Team, to the site as a precautionary measure. Lewisham Council has also mobilized staff to provide assistance to the affected residents. The fire comes on the same day the Grenfell Tower inquiry report was released, reigniting concerns about fire safety in residential high-rises. The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission expressed deep concern for those impacted by the Catford blaze.
Authorities have closed Rushey Green between Rosenthal Road and Honley Road, advising people to avoid the area while emergency services continue their efforts. The fire has raised fresh concerns over fire safety in tower blocks across the capital. The Grenfell inquiry’s final report highlighted the role of corporate negligence and governmental oversight in the 2017 fire, which claimed 72 lives. This recent incident in Catford is drawing parallels to the Grenfell tragedy, though no casualties have been reported. The situation in Catford remains under control, with firefighters working to ensure that the blaze is fully extinguished. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.