A derelict pub in Croydon has been partly destroyed by a fire which occurred yesterday afternoon - six months after a "suspicious" fire at the same location.

Firefighters were called at 1.44pm on Tuesday (April 23) to a fire at the derelict Windmill pub at 224 St James' Road in Croydon.

Part of the ground floor in the three-storey property was destroyed by fire.

Five construction workers left the premises before the Brigade arrived.

This fire happened six months after an initial fire on August 31, 2023 at the same location that police are investigating.

A roof collapsed but no injuries were reported.

Also on August 31, 2023, there was also a fire at another old pub nearby called the Drum and Monkey.

Both fires were being investigated by the Met Police. The News Shopper has contacted the force for an update.

According to documents seen by the Standard, planning permission was refused in January 2024 to demolish the Windmill pub and turn it into flats.

In April 2023, Your Local Guardian reported that The Windmill Pub in St James’s Road had been closed for a few years but had been used for “illegal activity”, such as people using it for parties.

On Tuesday (April 23, 2024), the Brigade's 999 Control officers received 23 calls alerting them to the fire - the incident was under control by 2.38pm.

Fire crews from Croydon and Norbury fire stations were in attendance.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a derelict pub on St James' Road in Croydon.

“Part of the ground floor in the three-storey property was destroyed by fire. Five construction workers left the premises before the Brigade arrived.

“The Brigade's 999 Control officers received 23 calls alerting them to the fire.

“The Brigade was called at 1344 and the incident was under control by 1438. Fire crews from Croydon and Norbury fire stations were in attendance.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”