Video shows devastating fire ripping through two derelict pubs just streets apart in London

Major fires ripped through two derelict pubs today less than 200 yards away from each other in South London, as huge plumes of smoke billowed up into the air. 

The former Windmill and Drum & Monkey pubs in Croydon were both alight, with the first blaze having begun at 5.30am and the second starting around 15 minutes later.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) sent eight fire engines and about 60 firefighters to the blazes on St James’s Road and Gloucester Road and told people to ‘avoid the area’.

The fires caused traffic chaos in the morning rush hour, with road closures diverting the 289 bus and affecting those heading to West and East Croydon rail stations.

Videos filmed by Kris Rybak showed the extent of the blazes. He said one of the fires was eventually brought under control, but the second one was ‘spreading fast’.

The former Windmill and Drum & Monkey pubs in Croydon, South London, are on fire today

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the derelict Windmill pub in Croydon, South London, today

A witness said one fire was brought under control, but the second one was ‘spreading fast’

Mr Rybak – who posted the clips and photographs on X, formerly known as Twitter – added that there was a ‘huge backlog of firetrucks stuck behind the traffic’.

Another social media user added: ‘A couple of fire engines and an officer in a car passed through South Norwood an hour or so ago, obviously en route to these fires.’

The A222 St James’ Road was closed between Sydenham Rd and Windmill Bridge this morning while emergency services tackled the fires, reported MyLondon.

The LFB said in a statement issued at 8.30am: ‘Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are responding to a fire in a derelict pub on St James’s Road, Croydon.

‘The fire is in a derelict pub and the roof is partly alight. One of the brigade’s turntable ladders is being used to fight the fire from above.

Local residents watch as firefighters battle the two blazes in Croydon, South London, today

The blazes caused traffic chaos this morning, with road closures diverting the 289 bus

Firefighters battle the two incidents near each other in Croydon, South London, today

Residents reported seeing huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky in Croydon today

‘Traffic in the surrounding area is expected to be congested whilst we respond. The brigade was first called at 5.44am and crews from Woodside, Croydon, Forest Hill and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is not yet known.’

Earlier, the LFB posted on X at about 7.30am: ‘We’re currently at the scene of two separate building fires in St James’s Road and Gloucester Road in Croydon. Several fire engines are in attendance at both incidents. Please avoid the area.’

The LFB Croydon account added: ‘Please avoid St James Road and Gloucester Road due to two fires in close proximity. We will be providing residents and businesses risk specific advice and reassurance as part of a post fire community engagement plan.’

MailOnline has contacted both the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service for a statement on the incidents this morning. 

The former Windmill pub in Croydon is pictured before the blaze in a Google Street View image

The former Drum & Monkey pub in Croydon is pictured before the blaze on Google Street View

The Drum & Monkey is currently under offer after being listed for sale at £650,000 with commercial agent Whozoo, which MailOnline has contacted for comment.

The site was listed on the NovaLoca website as a ‘pub with planning potential’, with the description saying it is a ‘two-storey building’ which ‘provides a large ground floor bar area along with stairs which access the upper floors of the building’. 

The listing added: ‘At the rear of the property there are three single storey structures in which one had a residential use. The property currently sits vacant.’

Last December, a planning application was submitted for rear outbuildings to be demolished and a two-storey rear extension and roof extension built to provide four flats and retain the pub on the ground floor. The outcome of this is pending.

Interior photographs of the Drum & Monkey pub which has been on sale for £650,000

The Drum & Monkey is under offer after being listed for sale  with commercial agent Whozoo

The Drum & Monkey was listed on the NovaLoca website as a ‘pub with planning potential’

The Drum & Monkey pub was described in a listing on NovaLoca as a two-storey building

A bathroom can be seen inside the Drum & Monkey pub in this photo from a NovaLoca listing

As for the Windmill, there is thought to have been a pub on the site since 1811 – and the current property was put up for sale for £1.5million in January 2021.

However it has remained derelict – and has been broken into multiple times by people using it for parties, according to Croydon Central’s Labour MP Sarah Jones.

Speaking in April, she added that there was ‘illegal activity’ going on but confirmed the site had since been secured by new owners who boarded up the building.

However, there has been no progress on redeveloping the pub – which served traditional Indian food before it shut – with no plans submitted to Croydon Council.

Paul Jeffery, interim head of listing at Historic England, said on X this morning: ‘Another fire in a disused pub. One of two fires this morning in Croydon, apparently starting within minutes of each other and located a short distance apart.’ 

Another X user called Imogen wrote: ‘What did I sleep through? Wake up and whole street full of fire brigade, police and ambulance. Hope no serious injuries. Never dull on St James’s Road in Croydon.’ 

It comes after Britain’s beloved ‘wonkiest’ pub the Crooked House in Himley, West Midlands, mysteriously burnt down on August 5, just two weeks after it was sold.

Firefighters were called but could not get appliances close to the building because mounds of dirt were blocking an access lane. Less than two days later, the burnt remains were bulldozed without the correct permissions from the local council.