Family-run ski shop wrecked by accidental fire

The fire started in a workshop at the back of the building, LFB said

A family-run ski shop in south-east London has been badly damaged after a fire broke out on Thursday evening, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

About 100 firefighters were called to Perry Vale, Forest Hill where flames had spread from the workshop at the back of Finches Emporium to the shop floor and two flats which were part of the building.

Two people and a dog managed to escape the first-floor flat before firefighters arrived by climbing on to a flat roof and helped to the ground by members of the public.

One man was injured, but did not need hospital treatment and 15 people were evacuated from nearby buildings. They were taken to a rest centre but most have since returned home.

Finches Emporium is a family-run shop that first open in 1947, according to its website

A small handful of residents remain in care of the local authority, the fire service added.

Crews were called at about 18:30 BST and spent five hours bringing the fire under control.

A storage area to the rear of the shop was also severely damaged by fire.

Deputy assistant commissioner Jamie Jenkins was the incident commander.

He said: "Firefighters were met with a fully-developed fire and they worked extremely hard for several hours to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring properties.

"This was a protracted incident with crews working through the night to fully extinguish the fire."

LFB used a 32-metre turntable ladder as water towers to help put out the fire from above, the brigade said.

The cause of the fire is being treated as accidental.

It is believed to have originated as a result of hot works taking place in the workshop at the back of the shop.

Firefighters tackled the flames for several hours before bringing them under control

According to Finches Emporium's website, the shop has been the "family's pride and joy" since it first opened 1947.

"Since then we've proudly been serving the Forest Hill community and beyond, sharing our family's passion for cycling, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding and the great outdoors," the site said.

Forest Hill station commander, Mike Watts, said a 25-metre cordon remained in place on Friday in Perry Vale, but the station was reopened on Friday morning.

"The brigade has worked closely with the local authority to support those affected by this fire.

"We will continue to have a visible presence in the area and will be liaising with local residents and businesses, sharing fire safety advice with them," he said.