Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley is set to leave the London Fire Brigade this month after nearly three decades of frontline service. He’s off to become the interim chief executive at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), where he’ll continue championing building safety.
Firefighter Turned Safety Chief
Pugsley’s fire service journey began in 1996, starting at fire stations across London, including Bow, Shoreditch, Stratford, and Peckham. He quickly moved into fire investigation roles at New Cross and Dowgate. Since 2005, he’s led probes into some of the capital’s fiercest blazes, including the infamous Grenfell Tower fire where he was the on-site forensic lead.
Among his high-profile cases was the 2015 Kingsway tunnel fire – a nightmare sparked by an electrical fault inside the Victorian tunnels that also ruptured a gas main, fuelling the inferno.
Frontline Hero Through Every Crisis
Pugsley has also battled dramatic incidents beyond fires. He was active during Storm Eunice and the intense wildfires that ripped through London in summer 2022. One standout moment came when he commanded the response to a boat fire in Greenwich, which saw gas cylinders explode.
“It was a disused minesweeper moored on a central London creek, converted into a floating living and work art space,” Pugsley recalled. “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.
Driving Fire Safety Reform
Beyond fighting flames, Pugsley pushed for important fire safety changes. Most recently, he led a campaign tackling fire risks from lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters. Their #Chargesafe campaign responded to a worrying rise in fires linked to these devices.
“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 from the Top
London Fire Brigade Commissioner Jonathan Smith praised Pugsley’s contributions:
“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.”
