Brigade scramble 80 firefighters to deal with blaze at high-rise Bromley flats

Eighty firefighters manning 12 fire engines were needed to deal with a huge blaze on the 10th and 11th floors of a block of flats in Bromley today.

The blaze took hold in St Mark’s Square at around 10am.

Pictures shared on social media show thick plumes of smoke and some flames billowing from two flats of a new-build complex, near Bromley town centre.

Emergency services received 20 calls to 999.

Fire station commander Gary Melia, who attended the scene, said: ‘Firefighters worked hard to bring this fire under control. There remains significant congestion around Westmoreland Road, so please continue to avoid the area if you can.”

The London Ambulance Service urged residents to keep their windows and doors shut due to the intense smoke levels.

A rest centre for people who live in the block was set up just across Westmoreland Road while the fire was being dealt with and the area made safe.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “One of the brigade’s 32m turntable ladders [was] used at the scene to help fight the fire from above.

“A rest centre has been set up at St Mark’s Church hall and we are working with multi-agency partners to support residents.

“Control officers took the first of 16 calls at 9.52am. Crews from Bromley, Beckenham, Woodside and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.”

The fire was brought under control shortly before noon, however, fire crews said they would remain at the scene for several hours to ensure embers are fully out.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Pictured top: An image of the blaze released by the London Fire Brigade (Picture: LFB)