Around 20 people were evacuated from a block of new-build flats after a large fire broke out in the property located above a Tesco store in Norwood, near Croydon, South London.

Croydon's firefighters are currently on a four day strike, however a contingency crew attended to tackle the fire.

The fire was serious enough to close roads and divert buses.

Flames and thick smoke were seen billowing from the top of the building and one man was checked at the scene although he was not taken to hospital, according to local news media.

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

Original Source

Croydon Advertiser