A significant fire broke out at a hospital building in South London early Friday morning, prompting a large emergency response and the rescue of 15 patients. The incident occurred on Lewisham High Street at approximately 2:20 a.m. on April 24, 2026.
Fire Details and Response
The blaze affected half of a room on the third floor of a hospital unit spanning four to five stories. Firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control, with the fire finally contained by 4:48 a.m., over two hours after the initial call. The London Fire Brigade deployed eight fire engines and around 70 firefighters to the scene.
Crews from multiple fire stations, including Lewisham, Greenwich, Forest Hill, Lee Green, East Greenwich, Deptford, and New Cross, responded to the emergency. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus assisted in evacuating approximately 15 people from the building safely.
Official Statements
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade stated: “Eight fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire at a hospital building on Lewisham High Street in Lewisham in the early hours of this morning. Half of a room on the third floor of a hospital unit of four and five floors was damaged by fire. Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus helped around 15 people evacuate the building.”
The Brigade's 999 Control officers received the first of five calls alerting them to the fire at 2:22 a.m. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police.
The Met Police and London Ambulance Service were contacted for comment but have not yet provided further details.
