Four men saved from house fire after stairwell sets alight

Four men wearing smoke hoods were led to safety by firefighters after a house fire yesterday evening.

Three fire engines and about 15 firefighters were called to the blaze at a house in Ashmore Road in Westminster.

The fire tore through part of the communal stairwell on the first floor.

The four men were led to safety from the second floor by crews wearing breathing apparatus.

A spokesman from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said: “Fire escape hoods 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. 

“If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. 

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

The Brigade was called at around 5pm and the incident was over by around 6pm. Fire crews from North Kensington, Dagenham and Paddington fire stations attended the scene.

The LFB are investigating the cause of the fire.

(Picture: LFB)