Thirty firefighters battled a blaze as it tore through a pub in Croydon overnight.

Three quarters of the ground floor of the Gun Tavern, Church Street, was damaged by the fire which started at about 12.45am today.

But the fire crews managed to get it under control within around 10 minutes so stopped it from spreading to the flats above.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known and is under investigation by the London Fire Brigade.

Station Manager Darren Tulley said: “We were received multiple calls to this incident from members of the public, as it was quite visible in the local area.

"The fire was on the ground floor of a pub that was partly under refurbishment and part still in use.

"The fire destroyed the part being rebuilt and smoke damaged the functional part of the pub.

“Firefighters worked extremely hard, diligently and quickly and managed to save the rest of the property and stop it spreading to neighbouring flats.

"Members of the public were evacuated from neighbouring properties as a precaution.”

Crews called to the scene came from Croydon, Norbury, Addington and Wallington.

They were there until about 3.30am.

It is believed the entire property is being converted into flats.

Did you see the fire? Call the newsroom on 020 8722 6353 or email rfisk@london.newsquest.co.uk to send us our pictures.

 

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