Huge house fire sparks evacuation for 130 locals with 11 rushed to hospital

01 March 2024 , 06:36

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Nearly 100 firefighters rushed to a devastating fire at a block of terraced houses in London (Image: London Fire Brigade)

A huge fire inside a South Kensington residential building sparked a massive evacuation operation in London, with five people saved by firefighters inside the house, and 11 rushed to hospital.

Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to a fire at a terraced house converted into flats on Emperor's Gate in South Kensington, London Fire Brigade confirmed.

Half of the ground floor of the five-storey building was alight, and about 15 people escaped the building before fire engines arrived. Officials evacuated about 130 people from the surrounding area, including neighbouring buildings.

Around 11 people, thought to include eight police officers, were treated for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. Two people were rescued by crews from a second floor flat using a 13.5 metre ladder, two people were rescued from a fourth floor flat by crews using a turntable ladder. One person was rescued from a first floor flat by crews using a short extension ladder.

Half of the ground floor of the five-storey building was alight (Marcin Nowak/LNP)

Station Commander Steve Collins was at the scene, he said: "The fire spread from the ground floor to the top floor and roof of the property. Crews worked extremely hard to contain it and prevent the blaze spreading to adjacent buildings.

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"Road closures are in place and likely to remain well into the morning rush hour so motorists are advised to avoid the area. However, there is no impact on rail services and they will be running as normal."

The Brigade was called at 0031 and the fire was under control by 0440 (Marcin Nowak/LNP)

An London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to a fire at a terraced house converted into flats on Emperor's Gate in South Kensington. Half of the ground floor of the five storey building was alight.

"Around 15 people left the building where the fire started before the Brigade arrived. In total around 130 residents were evacuated from the property where the fire started as well as the neighbouring buildings. Two people were rescued by crews from a second floor flat using a 13.5 metre ladder, two people were rescued from a fourth floor flat by crews using a turntable ladder.

"One person was rescued from a first floor flat by crews using a short extension ladder. Around 11 people were treated for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service."

(PA)

(PA)

Crews from Kensington, Fulham, Battersea, Hammersmith, Chelsea, North Kensington and surrounding fire stations were at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.31am on Friday (March 1) to reports of a fire on Emperor’s Gate, South Kensington. We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, paramedics in response cars, advanced paramedics, operational managers and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). We also dispatched London’s air ambulance. We treated eleven patients and took them to London hospitals and major trauma centres.”

Matt Atherton