Huge fire in tower block with residents evacuated and 'avoid the area' warning

579     0
Huge fire in tower block with residents evacuated and
Huge fire in tower block with residents evacuated and 'avoid the area' warning

A fire broke out at a tower block in north London on Friday evening forcing residents to flee.

The blaze started on the sixth floor of Kenneth Robbins House in Northumberland Park, Tottenham, before spreading to the level below.

Sixty firefighters in eight engines were at the scene battling the fire for around two hours from 6.20pm.

A woman was led to safety and treated for smoke inhalation, London Fire Brigade has since confirmed.

Occupants were evacuated and have reportedly been told they may have to find other accommodation for the night.

Firefighters offered £1,000 a shift to cross picket line during upcoming strikes eiqtiddeidkinvFirefighters offered £1,000 a shift to cross picket line during upcoming strikes

LFB warned those living nearby to close windows and doors.

Huge fire in tower block with residents evacuated and 'avoid the area' warningDozens of firefighters are battling a blaze in Tottenham

Photos show people gathered on a patch of grass outside the building.

Fire crews were pictured on a crane.

LFB said half of a five-room flat on a residential floor was initially engulfed in flames and two people left the affected property before crews arrived.

Huge fire in tower block with residents evacuated and 'avoid the area' warningResidents have been evacuated from the block

It is unclear what started the fire.

Station Commander Chris Kendall, who was at the scene, said: "Firefighters are working in hot, challenging conditions to tackle a very intense fire. The area is heavily congested and we're urging people to avoid the area.

Huge fire in tower block with residents evacuated and 'avoid the area' warningIt is unclear how the fire started

"The blaze is producing smoke and we're advising those in the vicinity to close their windows and doors.

"One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as an observation platform and as a water tower."

The brigade was called at 6.20pm and the fire was under control by 8.11pm.

Fire crews from Tottenham, Edmonton, Holloway and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

Diners flee restaurant fire after 'sparkler in drink ignited wall decorations'Diners flee restaurant fire after 'sparkler in drink ignited wall decorations'

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

In an earlier tweet, the fire service said firefighters were "working swiftly to bring the flat fire in Tottenham under control".

Journalist Olivia Opara said residents were facing having to find alternative accommodation for the night.

In a series of tweets she said: "Echos of concerns regarding the safety of the building as residents stand out in the cold with worry about their home as some recall the incident of Grenfell Tower years ago.

"The fire teams are checking that the building is safe for residents to return."

She added: "Just spoken to a police officer who has said that residents may have to wait hours, potentially over night to return to their home."

She said Haringey Council has been contacted to potentially help residents be put up in hotels.

Ryan Merrifield

Fire Service

Read more similar news:

09.02.2023, 06:42 • Politics
First firefighters strike in 20 years called off after new pay deal offered
18.02.2023, 08:51 • News
Family watches house burn to ground after electrical heater explodes into flames
20.02.2023, 17:50 • News
Boy, 17, slips and falls 150ft to his death after climbing cliff with friend
24.02.2023, 14:19 • News
M5 closed after car bursts into flames with smoke pouring across road
28.02.2023, 11:19 • News
Huge explosion as fire shuts down bridge causing commuter chaos as M90 closed
01.01.2023, 17:22 • News
Astonishing pics show firefighters save woman from 3rd floor of blazing building
02.01.2023, 14:37 • News
Ferris wheel bursts into flames with 62 people trapped in New Year's Eve horror
03.01.2023, 15:19 • Crime
Dad sees taxi on fire and calls 999 - before finding out daughter was inside it
06.01.2023, 15:12 • News
Firefighters up to their knees in river of butter after huge fire at dairy
06.01.2023, 15:25 • Crime
Two sisters killed in horror hotel fire that sent guests screaming into street