This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44962500
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| West Hampstead flats fire: 100 firefighters tackle blaze | West Hampstead flats fire: 100 firefighters tackle blaze |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| About 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a five-storey block of flats in north-west London. | |
| London Fire Brigade was called to the fire on the top floor of Welbeck Mansions on Inglewood Road, West Hampstead, at about 01:00 BST. | |
| About 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. | The service says the fire is now under control, with 15 engines still at the scene. |
| London Ambulance Service sent crews, but has 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 under investigation. | The cause of the fire is under investigation. |
| Station manager Clainton Murray said the fire was thought 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," he said. | "The flat was severely damaged by fire and a large part of the roof was also destroyed," he said. |
| Due to fears that the roof could collapse, firefighters evacuated residents from the top floor and helped two people escape from the first floor. | Due to fears that the roof could collapse, firefighters evacuated residents from the top floor and helped two people escape from the first floor. |
| A number of other residents self-evacuated from lower floors, Mr Murray said. | A number of other residents self-evacuated from lower floors, Mr Murray said. |
| "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," he added. |
| "In the early stages, the fire was very visible and could be seen for miles around." | "In the early stages, the fire was very visible and could be seen for miles around." |
| A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said no injuries have been reported. | A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said no injuries have been reported. |
| Angelica Malin lives near the flats and could see the blaze from her bedroom window. | Angelica Malin lives near the flats and could 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." |
| At the scene: Greg McKenzie, BBC Radio London | At the scene: Greg McKenzie, BBC Radio London |
| 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. | 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. |
| The fire brigade is dousing the roof of the building as it's still smoking. | The fire brigade is dousing the roof of the building as it's still smoking. |
| The top of the building is completely gutted. | 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. | 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. | 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". | She said residents think they may be allowed to go back in soon and pick up "some essential things". |