A huge fire broke out in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday, destroying a historic mansion on Hadley Green Road in Barnet.
Emergency services were called at around 1:10am to reports of a fire at Hollybush House, a Grade II-listed nine-bedroom property that was reportedly undergoing refurbishment.
According to reports, due to the intensity of the fire, water had to be pumped from Brewers’ Pond across the green to help bring it under control. A total of ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters from stations including Southgate, Barnet and Finchley responded to the scene.
Hollybush House, believed to have sold for approximately £4.5 million in 2020, suffered extensive damage including a partial collapse. By 5am, the main blaze had been brought under control, but crews remained on site throughout the day to damp down hotspots. At one stage, a turntable ladder was used to tackle flames from above.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a house on Hadley Green Road in Barnet. A detached house undergoing refurbishment was destroyed by fire. The structure subsequently suffered a partial collapse. 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 tackle the fire from above.
“Control Officers took the first of eight calls to the fire at 0110 and mobilised crews from Southgate, Barnet, Finchley and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 0448, but crews remained on scene throughout the day damping down hot spots.
“Due to the unsafe structure of the building, the cause of the fire is currently recorded as undetermined.”
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