Early Morning Blaze Hits Greenwich Flats – Three Rescued!
Fire Erupts on Second Floor
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters raced to a three-storey block of flats on Hevelius Close in Greenwich early this morning. Flames broke out on the second floor, damaging part of a flat and filling nearby corridors with thick smoke.
Firefighters Save Three with High-Tech Escape Hoods
Using innovative fire escape hoods, crews rescued three residents via an internal staircase. One person was rushed to hospital as a precaution after suffering smoke inhalation.
“Thanks to working smoke alarms, residents were quickly alerted to the fire. Firefighters were able to arrive promptly, rescue three people, and use our fire escape hoods to protect them from the heavy smoke that had filled the communal areas,” said a London Fire Brigade spokesperson.
Fire Escape Hoods: London’s Life-Saving Tech
The London Fire Brigade introduced these hoods in 2018 following the Grenfell Tower disaster. They shield wearers from toxic smoke and deadly gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide for up to 15 minutes—crucial time for safe rescue.
Smoke Alarms Vital – Early Warning Saves Lives
The Brigade stressed the importance of smoke alarms: “This incident highlights why every home should have working smoke alarms fitted on each level. Early warning saves lives.”
Crews from East Greenwich, Greenwich, and Deptford fire stations tackled the blaze after being called at 5:07am. Fire Control Officers also gave vital Fire Survival Guidance to trapped residents while rescue was underway.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire is now being investigated by the London Fire Brigade alongside the Metropolitan Police.
