Neighbour of derelict pub hearth in Croydon describes terror at ‘massive’ blaze
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neighbour of one among two derelict pubs that caught hearth in Croydon has described her terror as she witnessed flames “going right up into the sky”.
Around 100 firefighters rushed to sort out the blazes on the former Drum and Monkey pub on Gloucester Road, and the previous Windmill pub on St James’ Road, on Thursday morning.
Both buildings, that are simply streets aside, have been broken – and the fires are being handled as “suspicious” by police.
Monika Raj, who lives near the Drum and Monkey, stated she opened her entrance door to a “massive fire” after firefighters got here knocking.
“We heard loud noises we heard the fire brigade passing by,” she stated.
“We thought something happened, we didn’t know it was something just opposite our house.
“The next minute we heard a banging noise on our door. There was police, there was fire brigade people.
“As we opened the door we saw a massive fire. We don’t know how it happened.
“We actually got so scared, because my husband’s car was literally parked opposite the pub. So they advised him to quickly move the car. It was very scary to watch.”
She stated she heard a “big bang” because the pub’s home windows collapsed.
“I was really shocked, the flames were going right up in the sky,” she stated.
“There was a big bang when the windows collapsed. Glass actually smashed and it was everywhere.”
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) stated eight hearth engines and about 60 firefighters have been referred to as to the primary blaze, on the former Windmill pub at 5.44am.
It stated: “The whole of the second floor and the roof of the building were destroyed by fire, resulting in a roof collapse. There were no reports of any injuries.
“One of the brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders was used as a water tower to tackle the fire from above.”
At 6.24am, the LFB was referred to as to the second hearth, on the former Drum & Monkey pub in Gloucester Road.
Six hearth engines and round 40 firefighters attended the scene.
The hearth service added: “The whole of the first and second floors of the building were destroyed by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.”
Police officers attended each buildings and put cordons in place.
The Metropolitan Police stated: “The fires are being treated as suspicious and a joint investigation is being led between the Met and the London Fire Brigade.
“There have been no reports of injuries on any of the scenes. At this early stage there have been no arrests.”
The Drum and Monkey pub was purchased by Epsilon Developments Limited in July 2020 for £525,000, whereas IGC land Holdings Limited owns the Windmill Pub, bought in August 2022 for £1.35 million plus VAT.