Dreadful blaze: the alarm was raised for fire in the Burn Bullock around 7.30pm last night
There are well-placed fears that one of the area’s most historic pubs, the Burn Bullock at Mitcham, has been lost forever after a large fire took hold in the long-abandoned building last night.
The site has been targeted for a residential block by developers, although the Mitcham Cricket Green Conservation Area status had caused complications in gaining planning permission.
The pub was a Grade II-listed building, and had interior features which date to the 1500s and an 18th Century exterior.
Originally the King’s Head, in 1954 the pub was renamed after a former Surrey cricketer, Burnett Bullock, who had been the landlord there in his later years. Parts of the pub also served as a cricket pavilion for games played on the green across the road. But the pub closed in 2013.
In recent months, it has been squatted, and while the emergency services report that no one had been hurt in the blaze, eyewitnesses relate seeing people evacuating the building when the fire first took hold. Four men were assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
The Twitter account for the Mitcham Cricket Green Conservation Area summed up the sad situation: “We understand that someone got out of the building in time – it is Mitcham’s history that is being lost tonight.”
Mitcham Cricket Green is reputed to be the oldest cricket ground in the world that is still in use, having been used for the game since 1685.
Lost history: the pub building by Mitcham Cricket Green dates from the 18th Century, but had interior features from the 1500s, many of which are feared lost in the fire
In the 19th Century, Australian touring sides played there, having lodged in one of the pubs overlooking the ground, and Surrey played 2nd XI games there from 1949 to 1973.
Last night, 12 fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called out, including from Norbury, Wimbledon and Tooting fire stations. The fire was first reported at around 7.30pm.
“The roof, as well as the ground, first and second floors of a derelict pub were alight,” according to the LFB.
Burned Bullock: the oldest part of the building (to the left) appears worst affected by fire
“One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as a water tower.
“Two gas cylinders were removed from the property as a precaution.”
The Brigade says that it had the fire under control by 10.18pm.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation,” a spokesperson for the Brigade said.
As the damage of the blaze became apparent overnight, Mitcham Cricket Club – where Burn Bullock had once been captain – tweeted: “A black day for Mitcham.
“Named in honour of our former player and its former landlord. Disgracefully neglected for years.”
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Absolutely no doubt about it, block of flats here in a couple of years. Dreadful shame.
Merton Council should order full restoration, just like South Staffordshire Council ordered the owners of The Crooked House to rebuild the pub exactly as it was, leaning walls and all.
The police should be investigating arson, and questioning the flat developers very closely
A very close scrutiny of the developers is required plus a rebuild as was order