Fears Forest Hill residents could die were raised at a meeting in which fire bosses discussed permanently removing the area's second engine - despite a worrying trend of wait times in Lewisham increasing.
Forest Hill Fire Station, in Stansted Road, lost the engine in August 2013, as an insurance policy against possible future strikes by union members in the London Fire Brigade.
It is one of 13 which may never be returned, as the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority attempt to balance the budget.
Erith fire station is also affected. Full story here.
The permanent removal of the machines is one of two options currently being consulted on.
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The second would see them restored with the introduction of alternate crewing - meaning some stations would have just one crew for both an engine and special appliance.
At a meeting in Borough last Monday (January 18), London fire commissioner Ron Dobson admitted it was "a sad fact" that reducing numbers of fire engines would increase response times, but added: "In terms of attendance times across boroughs, the brigade still performs well."
He said the number of fires across London is decreasing - however in Forest Hill crews responded to 181 incidents last year, a marginal increase from 179 in 2012/13.
Moreover in the two years since Forest Hill lost its appliance, waiting times in the area for a second engine increased by two minutes and 26 seconds to eight minutes 49 seconds - well above the brigade's strict eight-minute target.
Across Lewisham borough, the wait increased by 55 seconds to seven minutes and 13 seconds.
At the meeting, firefighter of 13 years and Lewisham resident John Hand said cuts have already affected wait times in the borough.
The road would have been served by Downham fire station, which was closed down the year before.
The blaze had already spread to a neighbouring house by the time firefighters arrived.
According to London Assembly member Tom Copley, a fire can quadruple in size in just two minutes.
He added: "I do not think salami slicing fire stations is the correct approach."
Protestors at Downham Fire Station, before its closure
Pensioner Marilyn Murray, whose dad served in the fire brigade, asked: "Are you going to wait until people die?
"You are putting not only the general public, but the firefighters' lives in danger."
Residents have until 5pm on Monday (February 1) to respond to the consultation.
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