Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a block of flats on Hevelius Close in Greenwich early this morning.
The blaze, which broke out on the second floor of the three-storey residential block, damaged part of a flat and caused smoke damage to a nearby corridor. Firefighters used fire escape hoods to rescue three people from flats on the second floor via an internal staircase.
One person was taken to hospital as a precaution to be treated for smoke inhalation.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson praised the quick response and the use of fire escape hoods, stating:
“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.
Fire escape hoods, introduced by the London Fire Brigade in 2018 following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, provide up to 15 minutes of protection against toxic smoke and fire gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. They allow both conscious and unconscious individuals to breathe more easily while being rescued.
The Brigade emphasised the importance of smoke alarms:
“This incident highlights why every home should have working smoke alarms fitted on each level. Early warning saves lives.”
The Brigade was called at 5:07am, with crews from East Greenwich, Greenwich, and Deptford fire stations attending. Fire Control Officers also provided crucial Fire Survival Guidance to residents awaiting rescue.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police.
