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Video: Residents report Penge 'fireball'
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| The fire engulfed the timber yard. Picture by Spencer Lowis |
RESIDENTS have spoken of seeing flames, thick black smoke and a fireball after a blaze at a timber yard in Penge this morning.
Lynsey Smith, 25, lives near the site in Maple Road where gas canisters have exploded and 50 firefighters were called.
The road is closed from the junction of Heath Road to the High Street and St John's School in Maple Road is closed.
Miss Smith, who lives in High Street, said: "I got woken up by a loud bang and when we looked out of the kitchen window the flames were almost at our window."
She said it was quite frightening: "seeing the flames and feeling the heat come through the window when the window was not even open."
She and fiancé, Kevin Swindlehurst, 27, grabbed their cat and ran out of the house to see police and fire crews arriving.
They, and other residents, were told to leave their homes.
Miss Smith said they went to a café and have still not returned home.
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| Emergency services at the scene of the fire in Penge |
The couple's valentine's gifts are still unopened.
Shipping clerk Bob Taylor, 47, of Maple Road, said: "I heard a few loud bangs and looking out of the curtains I saw a big fireball.
"I saw the flames going across. I was just amazed really, I've never seen anything like that before except on TV."
Salesman Sulagna Bosa, 23, of Maple Road, "We could see the smoke. It was like thick smoke.
She added: "In the beginning it was fine and we could see the area but then thick black smoke covered the area."
Daphne Fenton, 70, heard the explosions from her home in Watermen's Square.
The cashier said: "The first one was about eight o'clock and there was another a bit later.
"It was quite a blaze and there was a lot of smoke.
"Looking at the fire from the back garden the flames were about 10ft higher than the buildings.
"It was quite a surprise."
The Fire Brigade say the road is likely to remain closed until at least 10pm.
A rest centre has been set up for the residents who had to leave their homes.
3:40pm Thursday 14th February 2008
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CommentPosted by: kelly, anerley on 9:14am Thu 14 Feb 08
do u know if any buses have been diverted!!!
do u know if any buses have been diverted!!!
Posted by: Dave, Penge on 9:20am Thu 14 Feb 08
I was walking past just before the Fire Brigade turned up. The fire started in the back of the property and quickly engulfed the whole garden. Shortly after the fire brigade arrived there we're 2 or 3 loud bangs and a large ball of fire rose over the property from the rear quote.
I was walking past just before the Fire Brigade turned up. The fire started in the back of the property and quickly engulfed the whole garden. Shortly after the fire brigade arrived there we're 2 or 3 loud bangs and a large ball of fire rose over the property from the rear quote.
Posted by: She, Penge High Street on 9:27am Thu 14 Feb 08
It's pretty scary to think this all went on while I was still sleeping. When I couldn't turn my taps on I thought it was the water company making all the noise outside!
I can't get anywhere, I usually get the 176 into work and it's all cordoned off outside my house.
It's pretty scary to think this all went on while I was still sleeping. When I couldn't turn my taps on I thought it was the water company making all the noise outside!
I can't get anywhere, I usually get the 176 into work and it's all cordoned off outside my house.
Posted by: Shirley, Penge on 9:38am Thu 14 Feb 08
Have the surrounding shops been affected?
Have the surrounding shops been affected?
Posted by: SPENCER LOWIS, BROMLEY on 9:51am Thu 14 Feb 08
I was driving to work and could see the smoke as I entered the road, the fire was so intense it looked like several buildings had caught fire, the heat could be felt from 40 yards away inside my car
I was driving to work and could see the smoke as I entered the road, the fire was so intense it looked like several buildings had caught fire, the heat could be felt from 40 yards away inside my car
Posted by: Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Breakfast Room on 9:51am Thu 14 Feb 08
I have to laugh. It looks like this tiny incident has given you all an excuse not to go into work.
Enjoy your duvet day!
[bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold]
I have to laugh. It looks like this tiny incident has given you all an excuse not to go into work.
Enjoy your duvet day!
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott Posted by: kelly, anerley on 10:06am Thu 14 Feb 08
i go to sydenham girls school im in yr 10 pls let me know if buses have been diverted!!!
i go to sydenham girls school im in yr 10 pls let me know if buses have been diverted!!!
Posted by: kelly, anerley on 10:08am Thu 14 Feb 08
i go to sydenham girls school im in yr 10 pls let me know if buses have been diverted!!!
i go to sydenham girls school im in yr 10 pls let me know if buses have been diverted!!!
Posted by: jd, Miles away from fire on 10:10am Thu 14 Feb 08
**** I live no where near this fire amd all my transport links are running - guess I am going to have to go into work.
**** I live no where near this fire amd all my transport links are running - guess I am going to have to go into work.
Posted by: Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study on 10:12am Thu 14 Feb 08
God knows what you would have all done in the war.
[bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold]
God knows what you would have all done in the war.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott Posted by: Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Lounger on 10:17am Thu 14 Feb 08
Have a good day, JD.
[bold]Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott[/bold]
Have a good day, JD.
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott Posted by: jo, penge on 11:24am Thu 14 Feb 08
Does anybody know if penge/maple road are reopened yet?
Does anybody know if penge/maple road are reopened yet?
Posted by: JD, No where near the fire on 12:52pm Thu 14 Feb 08
Thanks Erastus - but please call me by my other name, after all I feel a close second among equals here.
Great comment by you though!!
Thanks Erastus - but please call me by my other name, after all I feel a close second among equals here.
Great comment by you though!!
Posted by: John, Work on 1:20pm Thu 14 Feb 08
I am in work now. But do live near this tragedy. if i nip home for luch i may not be able to get back in. half a day off better than nowt.
I am in work now. But do live near this tragedy. if i nip home for luch i may not be able to get back in. half a day off better than nowt.
Posted by: The Rat, Catford on 1:37pm Thu 14 Feb 08
I would like to say, I think Kevin Swindlehurst is a real life superman for saving the Cat.
I would like to say, I think Kevin Swindlehurst is a real life superman for saving the Cat.
Posted by: magic_123, forest hill on 2:13pm Thu 14 Feb 08
My partner rents a lock up behind the DIY shop, does anyone know if this has been burnt down ? we are very worried and cannot get any information so would welcome any,
regards
magic
My partner rents a lock up behind the DIY shop, does anyone know if this has been burnt down ? we are very worried and cannot get any information so would welcome any,
regards
magic
Posted by: ollie, Bromley on 3:57pm Thu 14 Feb 08
fortunatley Kevin has really long legs, im sure he made a quick escape , im just glad all involved are okay
fortunatley Kevin has really long legs, im sure he made a quick escape , im just glad all involved are okay
Posted by: maria armstrong, catford on 4:09pm Thu 14 Feb 08
you are all a bunch of saddo's and need to get lifes - try walking and saving CO2 emmissions!! haha sorry, didnt mean to sound harsh!! [bold]bold[/bold]
you are all a bunch of saddo's and need to get lifes - try walking and saving CO2 emmissions!! haha sorry, didnt mean to sound harsh!!
Posted by: The real Me, Here on 5:07pm Thu 14 Feb 08
[quote][bold]maria armstrong[/bold] wrote:
you are all a bunch of saddo's and need to get lifes - try walking and saving CO2 emmissions!! haha sorry, didnt mean to sound harsh!! [bold]bold[/bold] [/quote] Hi Maria,
How is your Dad Louis? "We had allll, the time, in the world....."
Love me
****
maria armstrong wrote:
you are all a bunch of saddo's and need to get lifes - try walking and saving CO2 emmissions!! haha sorry, didnt mean to sound harsh!!
Hi Maria,
How is your Dad Louis? "We had allll, the time, in the world....."
Love me
****
Posted by: J, Here on 5:07pm Thu 14 Feb 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
I am in work now. But do live near this tragedy. if i nip home for luch i may not be able to get back in. half a day off better than nowt.[/quote] Explain to me how this is a tragedy. No-one was killed, or injured so what makes it a tragedy?
John wrote:
I am in work now. But do live near this tragedy. if i nip home for luch i may not be able to get back in. half a day off better than nowt.
Explain to me how this is a tragedy. No-one was killed, or injured so what makes it a tragedy?
Posted by: The Rat, Catford on 5:34pm Thu 14 Feb 08
He may have long legs Ollie Bromley but it was his speed of thought to get the Cat out that seperates this hero from normal people like you and I.
He may have long legs Ollie Bromley but it was his speed of thought to get the Cat out that seperates this hero from normal people like you and I.
Posted by: Brian, Australia on 5:01am Fri 15 Feb 08
Is it the timber yard between the High St and St John's Cottages?
Is it the timber yard between the High St and St John's Cottages?
Posted by: Kathryn, sidcup on 10:09am Fri 15 Feb 08
Reading a comment further down this page, what makes this a tragedy is its our family who have lost their business!! Its going to be a long hard struggle to get it back!
Reading a comment further down this page, what makes this a tragedy is its our family who have lost their business!! Its going to be a long hard struggle to get it back!
Posted by: J, Here on 10:15am Fri 15 Feb 08
It is very sad that it happened, but nothing was lost that can't be replaced. No-one lost their lives, it was just material possesions. It may well be hard to get it back, but you CAN get it back, had someone been killed, they can never come back. That would have been a tragedy.
It is very sad that it happened, but nothing was lost that can't be replaced. No-one lost their lives, it was just material possesions. It may well be hard to get it back, but you CAN get it back, had someone been killed, they can never come back. That would have been a tragedy.
Posted by: J, Here on 12:34pm Fri 15 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Kathryn[/bold] wrote:
Reading a comment further down this page, what makes this a tragedy is its our family who have lost their business!! Its going to be a long hard struggle to get it back![/quote] Having just re-read your comment, I have a question.
You say:
[quote]what makes this a tragedy is its our family who have lost their business[/quote]
If it were anyone else would you still class it as a "tragedy"?
Kathryn wrote:
Reading a comment further down this page, what makes this a tragedy is its our family who have lost their business!! Its going to be a long hard struggle to get it back!
Having just re-read your comment, I have a question.
You say:
what makes this a tragedy is its our family who have lost their business
If it were anyone else would you still class it as a "tragedy"?
Posted by: Wren, Downham on 1:07pm Fri 15 Feb 08
I echo your comments the rat, catford on kevin Swindlehurst, he should be proud of his courageous manouvers.
It must have been pretty scary for you Lynsey when you heard the big bang as a game of pateroo hadnt even been on the cards for that evening!
Id also like to know if they are still in the cafe now?
I echo your comments the rat, catford on kevin Swindlehurst, he should be proud of his courageous manouvers.
It must have been pretty scary for you Lynsey when you heard the big bang as a game of pateroo hadnt even been on the cards for that evening!
Id also like to know if they are still in the cafe now?
Posted by: The Reluctant Centre Back, Never midfield on 1:32pm Fri 15 Feb 08
Swindles - let Lynsey wake up before you give her a loud bang next time. I know it was valentines but it is still a bit naughty.
Swindles - let Lynsey wake up before you give her a loud bang next time. I know it was valentines but it is still a bit naughty.
Posted by: graham smith, penge on 2:49pm Fri 15 Feb 08
it was manic there were loud bangs and exploisions coming from the scene i am surprised no one is dead from the sclae of the fire. atleast it is all over for us now and we can go back to normal. we hav to pray to god nothing like this happens again to our community.
it was manic there were loud bangs and exploisions coming from the scene i am surprised no one is dead from the sclae of the fire. atleast it is all over for us now and we can go back to normal. we hav to pray to god nothing like this happens again to our community.
Posted by: Whatever, Bexley on 11:51am Sat 16 Feb 08
Erastus Theobald Piggott [quote]quote[/quote] I have to laugh. It looks like this tiny incident has given you all an excuse not to go into work.[quote]quote[/quote]
This TINY incident was a 10 pump fire - 10 pumping appliances attended, thats 50 firefighters. Some TINY incident you idiot.
Enjoy your duvet day!
Erastus Theobald Piggott
quote
I have to laugh. It looks like this tiny incident has given you all an excuse not to go into work.
quote
This TINY incident was a 10 pump fire - 10 pumping appliances attended, thats 50 firefighters. Some TINY incident you idiot.
Enjoy your duvet day!
Posted by: johnny lee, eltham on 1:44pm Sat 16 Feb 08
i am part owner in express timber and if this proves to be arson, i hope the culprit is caught, gets whats comming to him, and rots in hell, only the grace of god stopped this from being a real tragady
i am part owner in express timber and if this proves to be arson, i hope the culprit is caught, gets whats comming to him, and rots in hell, only the grace of god stopped this from being a real tragady
Posted by: jess, kent on 11:15pm Sat 16 Feb 08
hi john,
it's jess here, my god, i am so so sorry to hear, i hope that you are all ok and get in touch, my number hasn't changed! take care you guys, thinking of you all
love jess xxx
hi john,
it's jess here, my god, i am so so sorry to hear, i hope that you are all ok and get in touch, my number hasn't changed! take care you guys, thinking of you all
love jess xxx
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