Massive Fire Hits Kensington Flats: Ten Fire Engines, 70 Firefighters Battle Blaze
A major fire erupted today at a mid-terraced house converted into flats on Lexham Gardens, Kensington. The blaze engulfed part of a fourth-room flat on the fifth floor, prompting a huge response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Firefighters scrambled with ten fire engines and around 70 crew members to tackle the inferno. The emergency call came in at 12:31 pm, with teams dispatched from Fulham, Wandsworth, Paddington, and nearby stations. The LFB battled the flames fiercely and managed to get the fire under control by 2:21 pm, roughly two hours later.
Fire Brigade’s High-Tech Fightback
The brigade put a 32-metre turntable ladder to good use as a water tower, dousing the fire from above. Thick smoke billowed across the Kensington area, alarming local residents and onlookers.
Two people were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service paramedics for smoke inhalation. Thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported.
Cause Still Unknown as Investigation Begins
The cause of the blaze remains a mystery. The Brigade’s Fire Investigation Team has launched a probe, focusing on possible structural and electrical faults and pinpointing the fire’s origin within the flat.
“We responded promptly and efficiently to a significant fire in a residential building. Our crews worked exceptionally hard to prevent the fire from spreading further and to ensure the safety of residents,” an LFB spokesperson said.
Shaken Locals Speak Out
Residents of Lexham Gardens were shocked as many were evacuated as a precaution. Local Anna Miller described the terrifying scenes:
“I saw thick black smoke billowing from the building. It was terrifying, especially seeing so many fire engines arriving. Thankfully, the firefighters seemed to get it under control quickly.”
Social media exploded with footage of the rising smoke. One tweet read:
“Scary scenes in Kensington today – hope everyone’s safe. Huge respect to the firefighters.”
Fire Safety Warning and Witness Appeal
The LFB urged residents to check their homes have working smoke alarms and to practice fire evacuation plans. They stressed the importance of reporting any fire hazards or suspicious activity immediately.
The Fire Investigation Team is asking anyone who witnessed the fire’s start or has video footage to step forward. If you have information, please contact the London Fire Brigade on 0800 032 0101.
