Early this morning, a fire erupted on the second floor of a three-storey block of flats on Hevelius Close in Greenwich. Four fire engines and approximately 25 firefighters responded swiftly to the incident.
The flames caused damage to part of a flat and filled nearby corridors with thick smoke, creating a hazardous environment for residents.
Firefighters used innovative fire escape hoods to rescue three people via an internal staircase. One individual was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering from smoke inhalation.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said, “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.”
The London Fire Brigade introduced these fire escape hoods in 2018 following the Grenfell Tower disaster. The hoods protect wearers from toxic smoke and deadly gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide for up to 15 minutes, providing crucial time for safe rescue.
The Brigade emphasised the importance of smoke alarms, stating, “This incident highlights why every home should have working smoke alarms fitted on each level. Early warning saves lives.”
Fire crews from East Greenwich, Greenwich, and Deptford fire stations tackled the blaze after being called at 5:07am. Fire Control Officers also provided vital Fire Survival Guidance to residents trapped during the rescue operation.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the London Fire Brigade in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police.
Originally published by UKNIP.
