Catford Nursery Fire: 60 Firefighters Battle Rushey Green Blaze

Key Points

• Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were dispatched to a major blaze at Rushey Green Nursery, a three-storey building on Rushey Green in Catford, Lewisham.
• The fire started on Saturday, 31 January 2026, with the London Fire Brigade’s Control Office receiving the first of 17 emergency calls at 6:37pm (1837).
• Fire crews from Bromley, East Greenwich, Peckham, and other surrounding stations mobilised to the scene.
• Nearly half of the nursery’s roof was destroyed by the fire, with pictures and video footage showing huge flames and thick black smoke billowing from the building.
• The blaze was brought under control at approximately 9:25pm (2125), roughly three hours after the first call, though firefighters remained on site for several hours afterwards.
• No injuries were reported from the incident.
• Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to heavy smoke in the area.
• Road closures were implemented on Rushey Green, including the A21 in both directions between the A205 South Circular at Catford Gyratory and Lewisham Hospital, causing traffic congestion and impacting bus routes.
• People were urged to avoid the area during the emergency response.
• The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the London Fire Brigade.
• Rushey Green Nursery provides care for children from three months to five years old, divided into Baby Room (3-24 months), Toddler Room (two to three years), and Preschool Room (three to five years), and had received a “good” rating from Ofsted at its last inspection.​

Lewisham (South London News) February 2, 2026 – Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a ferocious blaze that engulfed Rushey Green Nursery on Rushey Green in Catford, destroying nearly half of the three-storey building’s roof. The London Fire Brigade’s Control Office received the first of 17 emergency calls at 6:37pm, prompting a rapid response from stations including Bromley, East Greenwich, Peckham, and others. Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform to battle the flames, bringing the fire under control by 9:25pm, with no injuries reported.

What Happened at the Rushey Green Nursery Fire?

The inferno ripped through the nursery on Saturday evening, producing huge plumes of smoke visible across the area. As reported by the London Fire Brigade in their official incident update,

“Firefighters tackled a fire at a three-storey nursery where nearly half of the roof was destroyed by fire. There were no injuries reported.”

Video footage shared across media outlets captured thick flames and dark billows of smoke rising from the roof, highlighting the intensity of the blaze.

According to a statement from the London Fire Brigade, as quoted by Richard Jeffries of GB News,

“Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire on Rushey Green in Lewisham tonight.”

The Brigade further noted,

“Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors shut due to the heavy smoke.”

Fire crews remained at the scene for several hours post-control to ensure safety.

When Did the Catford Fire Start and How Was It Contained?

The emergency unfolded precisely at 6:37pm on 31 January, with the Brigade mobilising crews immediately. As detailed in the London Fire Brigade’s account,

“The Brigade’s Control Office took the first of 17 calls at 1837 and mobilised fire crews from Bromley, East Greenwich, Peckham and other surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control at 2125.”

This timeline aligns with reports from The Independent, which stated the first report came at 6:40pm, with control achieved approximately three hours later.

Richard Jeffries of GB News reported that firefighters would “remain at the scene for the next few hours,” underscoring the prolonged effort. UKNIP coverage echoed this, noting the Brigade

“remains on site, tackling the flames at the junction of Rosenthal Road,”

though this appears tied to the initial response phase.

Which Fire Stations Responded to the Lewisham Blaze?

A coordinated effort involved multiple local stations. The London Fire Brigade specified crews from Bromley, East Greenwich, Peckham, and other surrounding fire stations. The Express highlighted

“Teams Bromley, East Greenwich, Peckham, and several other local stations have been dispatched to the incident site.”

This multi-station deployment was crucial given the scale, with around 60 firefighters on the ground using specialist equipment like aerial platforms, as evidenced by pictures from the scene.​

What Damage Did the Fire Cause to the Nursery?

The three-storey structure suffered significant structural damage, particularly to the roof. GB News, reporting via Richard Jeffries, stated

“Nearly half of the roof of Rushey Green Nursery in Catford, Lewisham, was destroyed by the blaze.”

The London Fire Brigade confirmed this, noting the roof was “alight” and nearly half destroyed.

No further details on internal damage were immediately available, but the visible destruction from flames and smoke suggests extensive impact to the facility.​

Were There Any Injuries in the Catford Nursery Fire?

Fortunately, no injuries occurred. Multiple sources, including the official London Fire Brigade update, affirmed “There were no injuries reported.” The Independent and GB News reiterated this, with no reports of casualties emerging from the scene.

UKNIP noted

“No reports of injuries have emerged yet, but the situation is ongoing,”

reflecting early live coverage before full control.​

What Safety Advice Was Given to Residents?

Local residents faced heavy smoke, prompting clear directives. As per the London Fire Brigade statement quoted widely, “Residents were advised to keep their windows and doors shut due to the heavy smoke.” GB News added that

“The London Fire Brigade urged local residents to keep their doors and windows closed as they sought to put out the flames.”

People were also told to avoid the area entirely during operations.​

What Road Closures Occurred Due to the Fire?

Disruptions were substantial. The London Fire Brigade announced “road closures in place causing traffic congestion in the surrounding roads.” Specifically, GB News detailed

“The A21 Rushey Green was closed in both directions between the A205 South Circular at Catford Gyratory and Lewisham Hospital. A number of bus routes were also impacted by the road closures.”

UKNIP urged locals to “steer clear and prioritise safety.” These measures facilitated emergency access and contained the incident zone.​

What Do We Know About Rushey Green Nursery?

The affected premises, Rushey Green Nursery, serves young children. Richard Jeffries of GB News explained, “Rushey Green Nursery provides care for babies as young as three months old, up to children aged five. The nursery is split into three rooms, the Baby Room for those aged 3-24 months, the Toddler Room for two and three year olds, and the Preschool Room for ages three to five.” It held a “good” Ofsted rating at its last inspection.​

Located near the Catford Audi dealership, the site is in a busy southeast London area.​

What Is the Cause of the Fire and What Is the Investigation Status?

The origin remains undetermined. The London Fire Brigade stated plainly, “The cause of the fire is under investigation.” This is echoed across reports, with The Independent noting “an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway” and GB News confirming “It remains unclear what caused the fire to break out, with an investigation now underway.”

No arson suspicions or preliminary findings have been publicly disclosed as of the latest updates.​

How Did Media Cover the Catford Fire Live Updates?

Coverage was swift and multi-sourced. News Shopper posted on Facebook about “The fire brigade took 17 calls reporting the fire,” linking to their full report. The Independent provided video analysis of the flames. GB News offered detailed statements and context from Richard Jeffries.

Live blogs like The Express’s “THIS IS A LIVE BLOG. STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER UPDATES” captured real-time developments. All outlets stressed neutrality, attributing directly to the London Fire Brigade.​