Fire destroys stalls at Kingston's 800-year-old as police and fire brigade investigate the cause

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026.

A fierce fire broke out at Kingston upon Thames's historic Market Place at around 4.30am on Tuesday, gutting a number of stalls and scorching the frontages of several nearby buildings. Eight residents were evacuated from neighbouring properties, and no injuries have been reported. Police are not treating the blaze as suspicious, though its cause remains under investigation alongside a separate London Fire Brigade inquiry.

A resident living above a Toni & Guy salon on Market Place said he was 'woken by the heat' and noticed an orange glow through his curtains at around 4.45am.

Kingston Council leader Andreas Kirsch described himself as 'shocked and saddened', pledging to work with partners to help affected traders and residents.

The Market Place has been cordoned off, leaving every business within the restricted zone unable to open until further notice.