Kingston community ‘sad and wounded’ by Ancient Market fire

A clean-up is under way after a fire which destroyed a number of stalls at Kingston’s Ancient Market, as well as damaging a number of nearby shops.

The Metropolitan Police said the cause of the fire, which started at the south-west London market in the early hours of Tuesday, was not suspicious. London Fire Brigade said the fire was “accidental”, but did not provide any further information.

Tim Meads, a fishmonger in the market for 42 years, said: “It’s taken everything away from me. Devastating.”

His stall is among those damaged, and he fears £2,000 worth of fish stored in the outdoor fridges has been destroyed.

“Hopefully we will rebuild, the town needs us,” he said. “At the moment I’ve lost everything.”