A leading Purley fire fighter has warned that someone could be seriously hurt if arsonists continue to target the Cane Hill Hospital site in Coulsdon.

The latest fire saw a blaze rip through the derelict building on Monday night (April 1) in a suspected arson attack.

More than 100 fire fighters from as far away as Old Kent Road battled from 10.30pm to bring the blaze under control.

After four hours firemen extinguished the flames but remained on the gutted site until Tuesday afternoon, to dampen down hot spots.

A district surveyor visiting Cane Hill amid fears that the damaged buildings posed a danger to the public, has declared the site safe.

But Purley sub officer Andy Glaisher believes it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. He said: "It's becoming really tedious. These fires are a drain on our manpower and I can predict injuries happening up there due to the state of the place.

"The site is vast and there's a fire up there every two to three months.

"I'm almost certain it's going to happen again."

Monday night's fire, which demolished one of the site's derelict buildings, follows on from another blaze in October last year in which the first, second and third floors of five derelict buildings were damaged.

The most recent incident happened on the day site ownership was due to be transferred from the Department of Health to the South London and Maudsley NHS trust.

Michael Kilkelly, spokesman for Campaign Against Cane Hill Expansion, CACHE, and chair of Coulsdon Residents Association said: "I saw the orange glow of the flames from my window last night.

"The security has been tightened but people are still managing to get on it to start fires."

The St Andrews Road resident added: "We would like a period of public consultation to discuss any plans to develop the site and the sooner it's done, the better."