London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Chief Charlie Pugsley Calls Time After 28 Years
From Firefighter to Safety Boss
Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley is hanging up his fire helmet after nearly three decades battling blazes across London. This month, he leaves the London Fire Brigade to take on the role of interim chief executive at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), where he’ll keep up the fight for safer buildings nationwide.
Pugsley’s career kicked off in 1996 at fire stations across the capital, including Bow, Shoreditch, Stratford, and Peckham. He soon shifted gears, becoming a fire investigator at New Cross and Dowgate. Since 2005, he’s led probes into some of London’s most deadly fires — most notably serving as forensic lead in the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Another key case was the 2015 Kingsway tunnel inferno, sparked by an electrical fault that ignited a gas main deep in Victorian tunnels.
Fire Chief at the Frontline of Every Crisis
Charlie’s bravery isn’t limited to flames. He’s faced storms and wildfires head-on, including the fierce 2022 London wildfires and Storm Eunice. One dramatic moment came during a boat fire where gas cylinders exploded.
“It was a disused minesweeper moored on a central London creek, converted into a floating living and work art space,” Pugsley said. “Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but it was one of the toughest calls I’ve faced.”
“You don’t live an ordinary life in this role,” he added.
Championing Fire Safety Reform
Beyond the frontline, Pugsley has been a driving force behind vital safety reforms. He recently spearheaded the #Chargesafe campaign, tackling the rising threat of fires from lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters. “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done at LFB,” he said. “Since 2017, I’ve worked with inspiring experts and engineers to reduce fire risks in buildings.”
Tributes Pour In as He Moves On
London Fire Brigade Commissioner Jonathan Smith paid tribute to Pugsley’s stellar service:
“Charlie is the consummate professional. His expertise shaped our work in fire investigation, prevention, and protection. As deputy commissioner, his leadership has been outstanding. He’s deeply respected across the brigade. While we’ll miss him, we know he’ll thrive at the Building Safety Regulator. We wish him every success.”
