Historic 16th-Century Pub Severely Damaged in London Fire

A devastating fire broke out at the historic Burn Bullock pub in Mitcham, London, on Friday night, causing extensive damage to the Grade II listed building. Around 80 firefighters from multiple stations battled the blaze, but were unable to save the 16th-century structure from significant destruction.

The London Fire Brigade reported that half of the ground, first, and second floors of the pub were damaged, and the roof was destroyed. Crews from Norbury, Wimbledon, Tooting, and surrounding fire stations attended the incident after the Brigade's 999 Control Officers received 34 calls about the fire.

Eyewitnesses described seeing flames and smoke coming from the building, which had been closed for over 10 years. An architecture student expressed sadness at the loss of the aesthetically pleasing old-style pub, calling it a "nice valued building."

The Burn Bullock, originally known as the King's Head, dated back to the 16th century and had features from the 1500s, as well as an 18th-century exterior. It was a significant part of Mitcham's history, having been used as a cricket pavilion and hosting Australian touring sides in the 19th century.

Local residents and the nearby Mitcham Cricket Club expressed dismay at the loss of the historic landmark, which had been empty for over a decade and covered in graffiti. A local councilor who visited the site on Saturday morning noted that the pub had been a concern for residents for some time, and the cricket club stated that it had been "disgracefully neglected for years."

Why this matters: The fire at the Burn Bullock pub is a significant loss for London's architectural heritage and the local community in Mitcham. The incident highlights the importance of preserving and maintaining historic buildings, even when they have fallen into disrepair.

Four men were assessed at the scene by the London Ambulance Service, but no injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control by 10:18 pm, and the cause is currently under investigation. Station Commander Paul Powling said, "Firefighters worked incredibly hard in challenging conditions to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings and causing further damage."

Key Takeaways

• Historic Burn Bullock pub in Mitcham, London, devastated by fire on Friday night.
• Around 80 firefighters battled the blaze, but unable to save the 16th-century structure.
• Half of the pub's floors and roof were destroyed, a significant loss of heritage.
• Pub had been closed for over 10 years and was in a state of neglect.
• No injuries reported, cause of the fire is under investigation.