Pictures at the scene show the damage at both Plaistow Lane and Orchard Road in Bromley, which were both in flames in separate incidents despite being just 300 metres away on Sunday (October 27).
The houses have been taped off and temporary fencing has been erected.
Parked outside Orchard Road, forensic vehicles were seen by the house as an active investigation continues.
Forensic services at Bromley (Image: Berk Uyal)
The blaze appears to have ripped apart the roofs of both the Plaistow Lane and Orchard Road buildings.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled the first fire in Plaistow Lane at around 4.05am and first floor was destroyed, with half of the ground floor also damaged.
There were no reports of any injuries.
One of the damaged Bromley houses (Image: Berk Uyal)
Later that same day, at around 9.50pm, another fire broke out at a house in Orchard Road where most of the ground floor and all the first floor were destroyed.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “This is an active investigation and police are keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents are linked.”
The cause of both fires has still not been determined.
One of the damaged Bromley houses (Image: Berk Uyal)
In both instances, specialist equipment, including a 32-metre turntable ladder, was used to help fight the fires from above.
Anyone who has information about either incident is asked to call 101, or message @MetCC on X, providing the reference 1620/27OCT for the Plaistow Lane fire and 7706/27OCT for the Orchard Road fire.
For the first fire, a spokesperson London Fire Brigade said: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a house fire on Orchard Road in Bromley.
“Most of the ground floor and all of the first floor of the two-storey building were destroyed by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
“A 32-metre turntable ladder was used at the scene as a water tower to help fight the fire from height.
“The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers received over five calls to this fire.
“Control Officers received the first call at 2148 and mobilised crews from Lewisham, Forest Hill, Bromley and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
One of the damaged Bromley houses (Image: Berk Uyal)
And then spokesperson said for the second fire: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a fire at a detached house on Plaistow Lane in Bromley.
“The first floor was destroyed and half of the ground floor was damaged by the fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
“One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as a water tower to help fight the fire from above.
“Control Officers took the first of 12 calls at 0404 (27/10/2024) and mobilised firefighters from Bromley, Beckenham, Lee Green and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
“The fire was under control by 0651.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
