Overview
- A large fire broke out near Carshalton Road in Mitcham on Wednesday, prompting the London Fire Brigade to deploy about 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines.
- The blaze affected garages — including a tyre centre, a workshop and a scaffolding yard — and burned roughly four hectares of dry scrubland near Mitcham Common.
- Thick smoke was visible across south London, residents were told to keep windows and doors closed, roads were closed and trains between Mitcham Junction and nearby stations were suspended or rerouted.
- Crews have largely brought the incident under control, no injuries have been reported, and emergency teams remain on scene while the cause is being investigated.
- This is the second grass or scrub fire in the Mitcham area within days and follows a large flat fire in July, a pattern officials say heightens concern about dry conditions and local fire risk.