27 Mar 2013
A fire has ripped through a three-storey building in Southwark leaving a devastating trail of destruction in its wake.
More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines battled the blaze at the building on Walworth Road in south London, which took over five hours to contain.
Fire crews were first called to the scene at 12.28pm on Monday, although some remained through the night as smoke continued to billow out from the roof.
Around 20 fire appliances were drafted in from neighbouring stations in Southwark, Old Kent Road, Kingsland and Whitechapel to bring the inferno under control at 5.45pm.
The building is home to the Cuming Museum, Newington library and a one-stop council stop, with work set to be conducted to see if any artefacts can be salvaged.
Councillor Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, said: “It is too early to say what the cause of the fire is and how long services from that building will be suspended for.”
Copyright Press Association 2013