Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Crews fight to save blaze museum at Cuming Museum and Newington library in Walworth

 

Theo Merz
Monday 25 March 2013 14:45 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

More than a hundred firefighters have been trying to save a collection of artefacts from a blazing museum.

Firefighters evacuated 30 people from Cuming Museum and Newington library in Walworth, south-east London, after a fire took hold in the roof.

Southwark Council leader Peter John said that, while the council's primary concern was the safety of the public and staff, it was also worried about the museum's collection.

The museum, which was founded in 1906 with the Cuming family's private collection, is home to artefacts from all around the world, including objects from Roman London, Chinese ornaments and African tribal costumes.

It also contains a permanent exhibition on the history of Southwark.

It is unclear how the fire started and no injuries have been reported, a London Fire Brigade spokesman said.

Emergency services were called to the building shortly before 12.30pm and 120 firefighters and 20 engines were on the scene.

Station manager Peter Critchell, at the scene, said firefighters would make efforts to salvage as many of the artefacts as possible.

He said: "Flames are coming through the roof and there is thick grey smoke billowing up.

"Firefighters are still working hard at the scene to try and bring the blaze under control.

"We now have water jets attacking the fire from the four corners of the building. We evacuated 30 people from inside the museum."

Dany Cotton, of the brigade, added: "We've got well over a hundred firefighters working hard at the scene to bring the fire under control. It's a large blaze and the whole of the building's roof is alight but fortunately we've not had reports of injuries."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in