Four adults were rescued from a shop fire in Bromley, believed to have been deliberately started, in the early hours of the morning.
The incident occurred at a shop located on Beckenham Lane, with flats situated above the premises. Fire crews from Bromley, Beckenham, and Woodside responded to the scene, deploying four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters to tackle the blaze.
The fire, which began at 12:19 am, resulted in the destruction of a significant amount of rubbish at the back of the property, as well as partial damage to the ground floor. Despite the intensity of the blaze, firefighters managed to swiftly evacuate all occupants, rescuing them from a first-floor balcony using a short extension ladder.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident, and firefighters successfully brought the fire under control by 1:29 am.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade provided details of the operation, stating: “Four adults were led to safety by firefighters from the first-floor balcony, assisted by a short extension ladder.
The cause of the fire is currently believed to be deliberate, highlighting the concerning nature of the incident. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing.
The swift response and coordinated efforts of the fire crews from multiple stations played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the individuals involved and mitigating the damage caused by the blaze.
Residents in the area are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.