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West Hampstead fire: 100 firefighters tackle blaze at flats West Hampstead flats fire: 100 firefighters tackle blaze
(about 3 hours later)
About 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a block of flats in north west London.About 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a block of flats in north west London.
The London Fire Brigade was called out to the fire on the top floor of a five storey building in Inglewood Road, West Hampstead, shortly after 01:00 BST. The London Fire Brigade was called out to the fire on the top floor of a five-storey building in Inglewood Road, West Hampstead, shortly after 01:00 BST.
Around 50 people were evacuated from the block, and two people were helped out by firefighters. About 50 people were evacuated from the block, and two people were helped out by firefighters.
The service says the fire is now under control, with 15 engines still at the scene dealing with the incident. The service says the fire is now under control, with 15 engines still at the scene.
London Ambulance Service sent crews, but they have not taken any patients to hospital. London Ambulance Service sent crews, but has not taken any patients to hospital.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Station manager Clainton Murray said: "The fire is believed to have started in a flat on the fourth floor. Station manager Clainton Murray said the fire was thought to have started in a flat on the fourth floor.
"The flat was severely damaged by fire and a large part of the roof was also destroyed. "The flat was severely damaged by fire and a large part of the roof was also destroyed," he said.
"In the early stages the fire was very visible and could be seen for miles around." Due to fears that the roof could collapse, firefighters evacuated residents from the top floor and helped two people escape from the first floor.
He added: "Due to concerns that the roof could collapse inward, firefighters evacuated residents from the top floor. A number of other residents self-evacuated from lower floors, Mr Murray said.
"In addition fire crews assisted two people from the first floor and a number of other residents self evacuated from lower floors. "Firefighters have carried out salvage operations to save, where possible, residents' possessions from water damage," he added.
"Firefighters have carried out salvage operations to save, where possible, residents' possessions from water damage." "In the early stages, the fire was very visible and could be seen for miles around."
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said they were called to West Hampstead at 01:17 and remain on the scene. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said no injuries have been reported.
They added: "We sent two incident response officers, a single responder in a car and two ambulance crews. Angelica Malin lives near the flats and could see the blaze from her bedroom window.
"We also dispatched our hazardous area response team."
Angelica Malin lives near to the flats and can see the blaze from her bedroom window.
"I can see firefighters inside as the roof is on fire and there's two men on cranes working on putting the roof fire out," she said."I can see firefighters inside as the roof is on fire and there's two men on cranes working on putting the roof fire out," she said.
"It's so scary - my flat is filled with the smell of smoke. The firemen have been amazing and I feel comforted by the incredible response.""It's so scary - my flat is filled with the smell of smoke. The firemen have been amazing and I feel comforted by the incredible response."
The Black Lion pub in West Hampstead has offered shelter to anyone affected by the fire. At the scene: Greg McKenzie, BBC Radio London
A post on Twitter said: "Anybody affected by the current fire in West Hampstead - our doors are open. It's quiet now here on the street - there's the police, the fire brigade, and a tiny bit of smoke - you can smell it in the air.
"Please anyone near stay safe. We will be here all night." The fire brigade is dousing the roof of the building as it's still smoking.
The top of the building is completely gutted.
Many residents are eating biscuits and sandwiches, drinking coffee and consoling each other at the Black Lion pub, which opened its doors to everyone affected.
I chatted to ground-floor resident Irene Bradshaw as she sat on a bench in the street in her night clothes.
She said residents think they may be allowed to go back in soon and pick up "some essential things".