Within days, the fire brigade confirmed it was accidental, likely sparked by electrical fault in the timber yard. The arches were structurally sound, but the smoke damage was extensive. Local businesses rallied, crowdfunding for repairs, and by summer 2026, most were back open—glass half full, as they say.
One shop owner told the BBC, “The arch is like a scarred friend. You see the marks, but you also see the story.” That’s the soul of London: layers of imperfection that make it beautiful.
