The Fire Brigade received more than 5,000 emergency calls in just three days after violent disorder burst onto the streets of London ten years ago today.

Embattled crews fought one blaze every nine minutes between August 6 and 10, as rioting spread across the city from north to south London.

The Brigade was stretched to breaking point, with a series of blazes causing tens of millions pounds worth of damage, some of the worst occurring in Woolwich, Lewisham and Croydon.

Station Commander Stephen-Remell Coleman was stationed at Wallington Fire Station on Monday August 8, 2011, when he was called to attend a large fire at the House of Reeves furniture store.

This Is Local London: House of Reeves (PA)House of Reeves (PA)

Reflecting on the events, he said: “I was in charge of the fire engine that night and we had seen the news coverage of the preceding days riots.

“During Monday we could see the increasing anti-social behaviour build.

"At around 10pm we could see from the roof of the station a huge plume of smoke not far away.

"The bells dropped and we were called to Reeves corner in Croydon.

“Normally when you’re on your way to a shout there’s a bit of chat in the cab but there was an eerie silence as everyone knew the enormity of what we were going to face.

“When we turned up the furniture store was well alight and the radiant heat was causing property across the road to catch fire so we needed to make sure the blaze didn’t spread further and endanger others.

"It was hot, hard and intense work.

"My crew and I knew immediate resources might not get there as soon as we would like but it’s at times like this that the crew pulls together, no one hides, and we all played our part to bring the blaze under control."

Unrest had spread to Lewisham by the same evening, as groups of youths faced down riot police before torching rows of parked cars.

Woolwich saw sustained rioting throughout the same night.

The Great Harry, a Wetherspoon in the town centre, was completely gutted by fire, despite the Brigade's best efforts.

A 16-year-old who was filmed carrying a burning plank inside the pub was later found guilty of arson and was detained for four years.

Despite everything he saw, Station Commander Coleman retained a positive view of the city.

“I moved to the UK from Ghana when I was four and love London," he added.

"The vast majority of people I encountered as I tackled fires that night were helping us and offering drinks to keep us hydrated.

"Their help makes me proud to be from London and that it is the greatest city in the world.”

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