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Video: Residents report Penge 'fireball'
3:40pm Thursday 14th February 2008
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.
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.
Your Say YourShopper
Dave, Penge says...
9:20am Thu 14 Feb 08
She, Penge High Street says...
9:27am Thu 14 Feb 08
I can't get anywhere, I usually get the 176 into work and it's all cordoned off outside my house.
Shirley, Penge says...
9:38am Thu 14 Feb 08
SPENCER LOWIS, BROMLEY says...
9:51am Thu 14 Feb 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Breakfast Room says...
9:51am Thu 14 Feb 08
Enjoy your duvet day!
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
kelly, anerley says...
10:06am Thu 14 Feb 08
kelly, anerley says...
10:08am Thu 14 Feb 08
jd, Miles away from fire says...
10:10am Thu 14 Feb 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
10:12am Thu 14 Feb 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Lounger says...
10:17am Thu 14 Feb 08
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
jo, penge says...
11:24am Thu 14 Feb 08
JD, No where near the fire says...
12:52pm Thu 14 Feb 08
Great comment by you though!!
John, Work says...
1:20pm Thu 14 Feb 08
The Rat, Catford says...
1:37pm Thu 14 Feb 08
magic_123, forest hill says...
2:13pm Thu 14 Feb 08
regards
magic
ollie, Bromley says...
3:57pm Thu 14 Feb 08
maria armstrong, catford says...
4:09pm Thu 14 Feb 08
J, Here says...
5:07pm Thu 14 Feb 08
John wrote:Explain to me how this is a tragedy. No-one was killed, or injured so what makes it a tragedy?
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.
The real Me, Here says...
5:07pm Thu 14 Feb 08
maria armstrong wrote:Hi Maria,
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!!
How is your Dad Louis? "We had allll, the time, in the world....."
Love me
****
The Rat, Catford says...
5:34pm Thu 14 Feb 08
Brian, Australia says...
5:01am Fri 15 Feb 08
Kathryn, sidcup says...
10:09am Fri 15 Feb 08
J, Here says...
10:15am Fri 15 Feb 08
J, Here says...
12:34pm Fri 15 Feb 08
Kathryn wrote:Having just re-read your comment, I have a question.
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!
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"?
Wren, Downham says...
1:07pm Fri 15 Feb 08
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?
The Reluctant Centre Back, Never midfield says...
1:32pm Fri 15 Feb 08
graham smith, penge says...
2:49pm Fri 15 Feb 08
Whatever, Bexley says...
11:51am Sat 16 Feb 08
quoteI 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!
johnny lee, eltham says...
1:44pm Sat 16 Feb 08
jess, kent says...
11:15pm Sat 16 Feb 08
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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The fire engulfed the timber yard. Picture by Spencer Lowis
Emergency services at the scene of the fire in Penge
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kelly, anerley says...
9:14am Thu 14 Feb 08