A massive fire tore through the historic Grade II-listed Hollybush House on Hadley Green Road, Barnet, north London, in the early hours of Monday, May 26. The £4.5 million Georgian mansion, located on the prestigious Millionaires’ Row, was engulfed in flames shortly after 1am.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded with a large team of 70 firefighters and ten fire engines. Crews battled the intense blaze for over six hours before bringing it under control at 7.15am. A 32-metre turntable ladder was used to fight the fire from above as flames consumed the roof and upper floors.
The late 18th-century, six-bedroom mansion suffered significant damage, including a partial roof collapse. Flames affected both the ground and first floors. At the time, the property was undergoing refurbishment and was surrounded by scaffolding. Nearby, the adjoining cottage was damaged but saved from total destruction by the efforts of firefighters.
“The whole of the roof, as well as the first and ground floors of a detached house under refurbishment, are alight. Firefighters will remain at the scene into the afternoon,” said an LFB spokesperson. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Hollybush House, last sold in 2020 for £4.5 million, sits on 2.23 acres of gardens and features three terraces, a pond, and a swimming pool. It is one of the most valuable properties on Hadley Green, an area known for grand homes once inhabited by notable figures such as explorer David Livingstone and author Fanny Trollope.
Local residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to thick smoke in the area. Fire crews also deployed drones to assess structural risks and monitor the fire’s progression. The efforts to save Hollybush House continue as investigators work to determine the cause of the devastating blaze.
Originally published by UKNIP.
