Mitcham fire destroying homes treated as suspicious

A fire that destroyed two houses and an industrial site in Mitcham is being treated as suspicious. The blaze broke out near Carshalton Road shortly before 4.30pm on August 26, prompting over 100 emergency calls. The Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade (LFB) have launched a joint investigation into the cause.

Firefighting efforts

Around 125 firefighters, using twenty fire engines, tackled the flames for four hours before bringing it under control at 8.30pm. LFB crews from Merton, Sutton, and Croydon responded to the incident. The fire also destroyed nine units, 30 scrap vehicles, a skip, and eight hectares of shrubland and grass on Mitcham Common. A terrain support vehicle, a 32-metre turntable ladder, and the drone team assisted in the response. Four residents fled their homes, but no injuries are believed to have occurred.

Road closures and appeals

Authorities have warned that Carshalton Road, Goat Road, and London Road are expected to remain closed for up to four days while enquiries are carried out. The Metropolitan Police and LFB are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting reference 5039/26AUG, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No arrests have been made at this stage.

Previous incident

This incident follows a grass fire near Carshalton Road on August 24, which involved four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters. That fire damaged about half a hectare of a field, with no reports of injuries.