Fire Rips Through Converted Semi, Five Escape Flames
Blaze Breaks Out in Ground Floor Flat
A fire tore through part of the ground floor of a converted semi-detached house in the early hours, causing significant damage. Five people managed to flee the building before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Injuries Reported, Woman Hospitalised
London Ambulance crews treated a man at the scene while a woman was rushed to hospital for further care. Sub Officer Shelley Ovenden, who led the firefighting efforts, revealed the intense conditions crews faced upon arrival.
“At first, the fire wasn’t very visible, but once crews in breathing apparatus entered, they encountered a fully developed fire and thick smoke billowing from the building.”
Fire Contained in Under an Hour
Despite the fierce blaze, firefighters worked swiftly to contain the fire to just one room and the hallway, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring properties. They also rescued a woman found in the rear garden, bringing her safely to the front of the house.
The London Fire Brigade were called at 3:09am, with the fire under control by 4:06am. Units from Woodside, Beckenham, Norbury, and an additional station tackled the emergency. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
