A significant fire broke out overnight at the historic King’s Hall Methodist Church on South Road, Southall, causing extensive damage to the building.

Control Officers received the first of over 20 calls at 9:30 pm on Sunday 22 February 2026. Around 70 firefighters and ten engines were mobilised. Two 32-metre turntable ladders were used to tackle flames on the ground floor, second floor, and roof.

The fire was brought under control by 12:30 am, roughly three hours after the first call. Local residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke, and South Road was closed in both directions during the emergency.

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The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries have been reported, but the building’s long-term vacancy has raised concerns about further damage.

Deirdre Costigan MP tweeted:

"Thank you to the 70 firefighters who tackled a fire at The King’s Hall Methodist Church, overnight. Sad to see this happen to this Southall landmark."

Her message reflects the concern in the local community over the fire and the ongoing preservation of historic buildings.

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Historic Building

King’s Hall closed in January 2013 and has not been used for worship since.

Built in 1916 by architect Sir Alfred Gelder, it served as a large Methodist hall for worship and community activities.

The church is Grade II listed. It has remained vacant and boarded up, and the recent fire adds to worries about preserving this historic Southall landmark.

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Misinformation and Social Response

Within hours of the fire, some social media posts falsely blamed Muslims and immigrants. Some even claimed the incident was part of a supposed “pattern” of attacks on churches. This is entirely false, and these types of claims are completely fabricated.

Spreading these lies does nothing to help the community or the historic building. The fire’s cause is still under investigation, and baseless accusations only fuel hatred and division—the very aim of these racists. None of them would be willing to contribute to repairs or keep churches open for the community.

The focus should remain on supporting the church and preserving this historic landmark, not amplifying falsehoods. Accurate information and practical action are what truly matter in the aftermath.