Fire Breaks Out in Soho Flat—Two Men Rescued by Firefighters
A first-floor flat was badly damaged in a blaze that broke out this morning. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rushed to the scene and rescued a man trapped inside the burning flat. He was quickly taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
Second Rescue From Smoke-Logged Flat Above
A second man was pulled to safety from the flat above, which was thick with smoke. Firefighters used a fire escape hood to get him out safely.
Fire Escape Hoods Save Lives
Two other residents—a man and a woman—escaped the building before the fire brigade arrived.
Fire escape hoods give members of the public up to 15 minutes’ protection from deadly fire gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. These hoods can protect both conscious and unconscious victims by filtering toxic smoke, making it easier to breathe, though they do not provide oxygen.
If needed, wearers can switch to a fresh hood to extend protection beyond 15 minutes.
Swift Response Controls Fire
The London Fire Brigade was called at 9:25am. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Soho and Euston stations had the blaze under control by 10:21am.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
