Odeon cinema saved from fire at nearby building

The London Fire Brigade successfully contained a fire at a mixed-use building on Beckenham High Street, preventing it from spreading to an adjacent Odeon cinema. The incident, which occurred just before 08:00 BST, prompted the deployment of ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters. Station Commander Tony Perks noted that the roof of the affected building was "largely destroyed," but thankfully, there were no reported injuries. Local authorities advised drivers to avoid the area due to expected traffic congestion from blocked roads. The building was undergoing refurbishment when the fire broke out, leading to a significant smoke plume visible from several miles away.

A 32m turntable ladder was utilized to combat the flames from above. Fire appliances will remain in the area to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and to monitor for any flare-ups. The prompt response from firefighters underscored the importance of safety measures in urban areas.