- By Samantha Jagger & PA Media
- BBC News
Image source, London Fire Brigade
About 170 people were evacuated from the building and neighbouring properties
Eleven people have been taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a five-storey building in London.
About 170 people were evacuated from Emperor’s Gate, in South Kensington, after the fire spread from a ground-floor flat just after midnight.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the blaze, which had spread to the roof of the building, was now under control.
It said the people taken to hospital were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.
‘Incredibly challenging’
Fifteen fire engines and about 100 firefighters arrived at the scene to find half of the ground floor of the building was alight, LFB said.
Two people were rescued from a second-floor flat, one person was helped from a first-floor flat and another two were rescued from a flat on the fourth floor.
Borough commander Ben King said the blaze had started at 00:31 GMT and described it as “incredibly challenging”.
“Our crews have acted with, as you would expect and as London rightfully deserves, utmost professionalism as they have conducted a number of rescues,” he said.
Five people were rescued from the building after the blaze spread
The flames became “very significant” and it was a “dynamic incident” for the service to deal with, Mr King explained.
Station commander Steve Collins added that crews worked extremely hard to stop the fire spreading to adjacent buildings.
Borough commander Ben King described the fire as “incredibly challenging”
At about 05:30, the fire service said the blaze had been brought under control.
Mr King said the roof of the building was “significantly damaged” and the ground floor and an adjoining property had suffered damage too.
The service said some residents had been let back into their homes.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and the service said it would remain at the scene until at least Friday afternoon.
Whole building ablaze
Arnis, who was one of the people evacuated, described the fire as “pretty scary”.
He said he saw a “small fire” on the ground floor, which people were trying to put out using extinguishers.
“They broke the window and after that the fire spread rapidly… the blaze came out of the window,” Arnis explained.
“In 14 minutes the whole building was ablaze,” he added.
Image source, London Fire Brigade
The blaze spread from a ground floor flat just after midnight
At the scene
It’s bucketing it down with rain here in south Kensington.
Firefighters using a turntable ladder continue to battle the blaze which is now under control.
There’s a heavy police presence too with road closures in every direction and buses on diversion.
Dozens of tired looking firefighters have been accepting hot drinks from a Salvation Army van a street away.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said council staff were providing assistance and shelter at a nearby hotel for those affected.
Deputy leader councillor Kim Taylor-Smith thanked the emergency services for “the incredible job they have done in very challenging conditions” and council staff “who have sprung into action in the middle of the night”.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
