Inside damaged Kilburn tower block home after horror blaze erupted on 13th floor

19 September 2023 , 10:20

718     0

An exterior view of the tower block in Kilburn (Image: Katie Weston/ Daily Mirror)

This is the inside of a tower block home in London where a major blaze erupted last night, prompting 78 calls to the fire brigade and the evacuation of all residents.

Smoke and flames were seen billowing from the high-rise flat near Kilburn Square on Monday, where loud pops and explosions could also be heard. No injuries were reported in the incident, which was tackled by 60 firefighters and saw half of the 13th floor set alight.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but the Mirror understands that it originated in the kitchen. Pictures taken at the scene this morning show the messy aftermath, with the floors covered in puddles and soot. Litter, boxes and pieces of clothing were strewn across the floor inside the home, where some of the furniture remained intact.

Inside the 13th-floor flat where the fire began (Katie Weston/ Daily Mirror)

A gas notice pinned to the front of the flat door (Katie Weston/ Daily Mirror)

A charred headboard was propped up in the hallway outside, while a notice pinned to the front of the flat door reads: "The gas equipment must NOT be used. It is an offence to continue to use an unsafe appliance or installation until it has been repaired and tested by a 'Gas Safe' registered installer."

Sanja, 42, lives with her two children on the 7th floor of the tower block. She told the Mirror: "I was at home when I got a message from someone saying 'are you okay? There's a fire in your block.' I grabbed my kids and just ran away. I don't even know if I locked the door.

Faces of the children killed in horror dog attacks in UK since 2020

"We were left waiting in a nearby McDonald's until 11pm, and heard nothing at all from the council. We left without any jackets so it was freezing cold outside. In the end we stayed at a friend's, but I couldn't sleep all night. My daughter is also really anxious."

A spokesperson for the council said there were numerous workers on the ground in the fast-food branch, who were helping to give updates and transport residents to a rest centre via taxis.

A charred headboard was propped up in the hallway outside (Katie Weston/ Daily Mirror)

Footage was shared widely on social media showing smoke billowing out of the building, and a fire raging on one of the balconies. Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, said her thoughts are with all the residents affected.

She tweeted: "Really worrying fire in Kilburn tonight. I hope everyone is ok and my thoughts are with all those affected. I’m in touch with the Council and emergency services and will do everything I can to support the residents."

The floor covered in soot and puddles (Katie Weston/ Daily Mirror)

It is not yet known what caused the fire (Katie Weston/ Daily Mirror)

London Fire Brigade (LFB) had received 78 calls alerting it to the incident from just before 6.45pm. It later said the fire was brought under control at 8.09pm. At the time of the fire, all residents were evacuated and a rest centre was set up at Brent Civic Centre.

Brent Council has since confirmed that everyone has been allowed to return "except three households who have been provided with temporary accommodation until they can return". A spokeswoman added: "Work is ongoing to allow these remaining households to return as quickly as possible."

The incident saw half of the 13th floor set alight (Katie Weston/ Daily Mirror)

In a statement, LFB said: "Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Kilburn Square in Kilburn. A flat on the 13th floor of a 17 storey building was completely destroyed. Thankfully, no injuries are reported. It was a very visible fire and the Brigade's 999 Control room received 78 calls alerting them to the fire.

"The Brigade was called at 1843 and was under control by 2009. Fire crews from Kentish Town, Kensington, Park Royal, Hendon, Chelsea, Euston and Soho fire stations were in attendance. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Met police."

The Mirror has contacted the Met Police for further comment.

Katie Weston