St George's Shopping Centre in Harrow evacuated after car fire in car park
Shoppers were sent out of the St Anns Road centre on Thursday evening as thick black smoke poured from its upper levels. Some drivers then waited hours to get back to their cars.
Video: @hims.x
St George's Shopping Centre in Harrow town centre was evacuated on the evening of Thursday 15 October after a car caught fire in the centre's car park.
Footage shared with UB1UB2 shows thick black smoke pouring from the upper levels of the building at about 6.45pm. Crowds of shoppers and staff stood outside the centre on St Anns Road.
No injuries were reported. The London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police have not publicly said what caused the fire.
Hours of waiting for drivers
It is understood the area around St Anns Road was cleared while the fire was dealt with. People who had parked at the centre had to wait outside until they were allowed back in to collect their cars.
The person who filmed the smoke said people were stuck outside the centre for hours.
It has not been officially confirmed how many vehicles were affected, how much damage was done to the car park, or when it fully reopened.
About the centre
St George's is a covered shopping centre at the western end of Harrow's town centre. It opened in 1996 on St George's Day and stands on St Anns Road, close to the separate St Anns centre.
Its shops include B&M, Boots, TK Maxx, H&M and Vision Express, along with restaurants, cafes and a Vue cinema. Its multi-storey car park is one of the main places to park for shoppers visiting Harrow town centre.
Earlier evacuations
This is not the first time the centre has been cleared this year. On 2 July 2026 the London Fire Brigade was called at 1.46pm to reports of a fire at a shopping centre on St Anns Road. Firefighters found that a small fire in a restaurant kitchen had already been put out.
In July 2022 the centre also closed for a time after a small electrical fire. Two fire engines and about 10 firefighters from Harrow and Stanmore fire stations attended.
In May 2023 the centre's Vue cinema was briefly evacuated after a false fire alarm.
Vehicle fire safety
The London Fire Brigade advises anyone who sees a vehicle on fire to get well away from it, keep others back and call 999. Do not try to open the bonnet or put the fire out yourself.
Anyone who saw what happened on Thursday evening, or who has information about the fire, can contact the police on 101.
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