The Catford Bridge Tavern will reopen, its owners said today, despite a catastrophic fire last night (March 1).

Firefighters spent almost five hours at the scene putting out the flames and damping down the remaining hot spots.

The whole of the roof and second floor and most of the first floor was damaged in the blaze, which was reported shortly before 6pm and is thought to be non-suspicious.

But Michael Nicholas from Solitaire Restaurants, owner of The Catford Bridge Tavern, said today: “We’re not in a position to comment on the fire, but we are working to ensure that the site is safe and secure.

“Our intention has always been to reopen the pub and nothing has changed in that regard.”

The scene in Catford was "a nightmare" this morning (Mar 2) with trains and traffic affected after a huge blaze ripped through a pub last night.

Commuters are experiencing "severe delays" after eight fire engines and 58 firefighters tackled a fire at the Catford Bridge Tavern, which is under refurbishment, yesterday evening.

This morning the south circular in Catford was closed, access to Catford Bridge train station was limited and there weretraffic jams surrounding the area.

MORE PICTURES AND VIDEO FROM THE FIRE

Crews led four people to safety from the building and they were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service suffering light smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from Greenwich, Lee Green, Bromley, Forest Hill, Lewisham, Bromley, East Greenwich and Orpington fire stations managed to get the flames under control by around 10.40pm.

MORE TOP STORIES  The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

Station manager Kevin McKenzie who was at the scene, said: “Crews worked hard in challenging conditions to prevent further fire spread throughout the building.

“Commuters should also be prepared for severe delays this morning as some road closures may still be in place, so avoid the area if possible.”

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How were commuters affected?

This morning, trains travelling through nearby Catford Bridge station were doing so at a reduced speed.

Transport for London (TfL) tweeted earlier this morning: “Traffic slow N/B on A21 Bromley Rd & W/B on A205 Brownhill Rd approaching the one way syste.

“Traffic slow Northbound on A21 Bromley Rd & W/B on A205 Brownhill Rd approaching the one way system.”

One commuter, Sarah Austin ‏@schmostin, tweeted: “Looks like a while until the #catford bridge tavern reopens :(

"All traffic around the area a nightmare today.”

News Shopper:

From thriving community pub to burn-out shell

The Catford Bridge Tavern's troubled recent history is a sobering reminder of what can happen when big business set its sights on your local pub.

Formerly The Railway, by 2011 it had been rechristened the Copperfield and was a magnet for troublemakers with tales of drunken punters surfing on the bonnets of moving cars outside.

Then along came pub company Antic, who changed the name again and turned the venue around into a thriving community boozer.

But supermarket chain Tesco had their eye on the building and, despite a campaign, the support of politicians and a local listing, Antic were kicked out at the end of 2013.

Since then, it has remained wastefully unused - boarded up and a haven for squatters.

Tesco sold the lease on last year and plans were drawn up to re-open it as a pub once again.