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Croydon self-storage warehouse destroyed in blaze Croydon self-storage warehouse destroyed in blaze
(about 3 hours later)
A self-storage warehouse has been destroyed in a blaze with many people facing the loss of their belongings.A self-storage warehouse has been destroyed in a blaze with many people facing the loss of their belongings.
Dozens of firefighters are continuing to tackle the fire at the unit in south London.Dozens of firefighters are continuing to tackle the fire at the unit in south London.
At its height on New Year's Eve, the whole of the four-storey warehouse in Purley Way, Croydon, was ablaze, with up to 120 firefighters tackling it.At its height on New Year's Eve, the whole of the four-storey warehouse in Purley Way, Croydon, was ablaze, with up to 120 firefighters tackling it.
The BBC understands the building is a Shurgard unit and the belongings inside have been completely destroyed. Shurgard self-storage told its customers it was "highly unlikely" any items would be salvaged.
About 70 firefighters remain at the scene as the fire, which has been contained, continues to burn. No one has been hurt in the blaze.About 70 firefighters remain at the scene as the fire, which has been contained, continues to burn. No one has been hurt in the blaze.
Marianna Georgiou, 51, had all of her belongings in the self-storage unit because she had temporarily moved in with her daughter in Mitcham after being made redundant.
Ms Georgiou, who works in retail, said: "I cannot believe it. Thirty years of my whole life has just gone in an instant."
"Someone called my daughter at 11:45 GMT last night and said, 'Doesn't your mum store her stuff there?' She [the caller] could see the flames from her bedroom window."
"I've literally got the clothes I'm wearing and my car," she added.
"I got made redundant last year from my job so I gave up my home so I put everything in storage."
"Furniture is furniture, but it's the memories and the sentimental things that you cannot replace," she said.
Giacomo Malvermi told BBC London he heard about the fire while at a New Year's Eve party.
He had been using the warehouse to store personal belongings as well as his stock of vintage pinball machines he had restored for his business, Pinball Creative.
"It's taken me many years to accumulate these pinball machines, which are both rare and vintage," he said.
"All the stock that's gone - we're talking pinball machines from the Sixties, Seventies - I don't think I'll ever be able to replace them.
"That's me over, that's my business gone."
In an email sent to customers seen by the BBC, the company said: "We will assist you in contacting insurance companies regarding a possible compensation.
"Further instructions with regards to the insurance claims will be shared by email or letter as well.
"We are devastated by this event and we sympathize with your loss. Please accept our sincerest apologies."
Graham Ellis, assistant commissioner of London Fire Brigade, said it was "challenging" to contain the fire.Graham Ellis, assistant commissioner of London Fire Brigade, said it was "challenging" to contain the fire.
"Self-storage units are generally full of items like furniture which when packed tightly provide a lot of materials to burn and so these sorts of incidents tend to create large fires that burn hard for a long time, creating a lot of smoke," he said."Self-storage units are generally full of items like furniture which when packed tightly provide a lot of materials to burn and so these sorts of incidents tend to create large fires that burn hard for a long time, creating a lot of smoke," he said.
"Firefighters have worked hard to ensure that while the fire is burning, it is contained and won't spread to nearby buildings.""Firefighters have worked hard to ensure that while the fire is burning, it is contained and won't spread to nearby buildings."
At the scene: Greg McKenzie, BBC London
This is a huge blaze which has reduced the building to just a shell.
And hours later, the fire is still burning.
Many people who have belongings stored in the building have come here and are visibly upset because, ultimately, they've lost everything.
Local residents have been warned to keep windows and doors shut, with drivers urged to avoid the area after roads were closed.Local residents have been warned to keep windows and doors shut, with drivers urged to avoid the area after roads were closed.
The brigade was called at 19:47 GMT on New Year's Eve and at the fire's peak, 20 fire engines and about 120 firefighters were at the scene.The brigade was called at 19:47 GMT on New Year's Eve and at the fire's peak, 20 fire engines and about 120 firefighters were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.The cause of the fire is not yet known.