Neighbours ‘heartbroken’ after four people die in house fire in Bexleyheath
Two women and two children, believed to be a boy and a girl, have died in a house fire in Bexleyheath.
Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were called to the blaze in Hamilton Road at around 8.30pm last night.
Crews in breathing apparatus found two women and two children on the first floor using a nine-metre ladder.
They died at the scene.
One man left the building before the brigade arrived and has been taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service with injuries to his legs.
Alfie Lazell, whose girlfriend lives in Hamilton Road, arrived at the scene just after the fire had been put out.
He said: “The police, the paramedics, the fire brigade just worked tirelessly non-stop for an hour. After that I don’t know what they could do.”
He said he felt “heartbroken”, adding: “Lives have been lost. A family has been lost. It’s just horrible.”
The four people who died are all believed to have been related to each other.
Flowers and other gifts have been left at the scene.
The road remains closed.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “This is a truly terrible incident which is both sad and shocking. Our thoughts are with the family, friends and local community at this difficult time.”
Half of the ground floor and the whole of the first floor of the house was destroyed by fire.
The brigade was called at 8.28pm and the incident was over by 9.45pm
Fire crews from Bexley, Erith, Plumstead, Lee Green and Sidcup fire stations attended the fire.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, head of policing for Bexley, Lewisham and Greenwich said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased, who have suffered such an awful and devastating loss.
“We have officers in the location and I know these sentiments are shared by residents across the Bexley and London as a whole.
“Our inquiries are ongoing and we will continue to work with our colleagues in the London Fire Brigade to fully understand the cause of this terrible incident. In these very early stages we don’t believe the cause of the fire is suspicious.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has tweeted: “I am heartbroken to hear that two women and two children tragically lost their lives in a house fire in Bexleyheath last night.
“My heart goes out to their loved ones and the local community at this awful time.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is not thought to be suspicious and there have been no arrests.
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ