FIRE crews had to saw through the padlocked gates of a park to reach a blaze in an unoccupied pavilion.

Four fire engines and 20 firefighters were called to the blaze in Crystal Palace Park, Penge, on March 22.

A member of the public reported the fire at 8pm.

Crews from Beckenham, West Norwood and Woodside fire stations fought the fire, which severely damaged half of the ground floor of the building.

Two park vehicles were also damaged in the fire and the offices on the floor above suffered some smoke damage.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 8.50pm.

The cause is still being investigated.