Brigade saves five from blaze in ‘disused’ block of flats

Five people needed to go to hospital after being saved from a fire that took hold in what was described as a ‘disused block of flats’ in Newcomen Street, Southwark.

The drama unfolded this morning between 4-5am.

One person was rescued by ladder from the roof level of the three and four-storey property.

Two people were rescued by ladder from the second floor and two more from the basement by crews wearing breathing apparatus and using smoke hoods.

Five people were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.

Half of the ground floor, part of the first floor and the staircase (from the ground to the first floor) were destroyed by the fire.

Fire escape hoods used provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases – carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people.

They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were mobilised.

The brigade’s 999 control centre operators received their first call alerting them to the fire shortly after 4am and the fire was under control an hour later.

Fire crews from Dowgate, Whitechapel, Old Kent Road, Dockhead, Lambeth, Soho, Peckham and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Met and the brigade’s fire investigation team.

Pictured top: The scene outside the flats at Newcomen Street (Picture: LFB)