18 hurt as fire breaks out in 17-storey tower block in South London and sends smoke billowing across estate before being extinguished by firefighters
- London Fire Brigade sent eight engines and around 60 firefighters to the block
- Plumes of smoke erupt around the base of the high-rise building on Otto Street
- London Ambulance assessing 12 adults and 6 children for smoke inhalation
Eighteen people are being assessed by paramedics after a fire broke out in a ground-floor flat of a 17-storey tower block in South London.
Firefighters rushed to the block on Otto Street, Kennington after a five-bedroom flat was entirely engulfed in flames.
London Ambulance Service is assessing 12 adults and six children for smoke inhalation.
London Fire Brigade sent eight engines and around 60 firefighters to tackle the blaze.
Eighteen people are being assessed by paramedics after a fire broke out in a ground-floor flat of a 17-storey tower block in South London
Firefighters rushed to the block on Otto Street, Kennington after a five-bedroom flat was entirely engulfed in flames
London Ambulance Service is assessing 12 adults and six children for smoke inhalation
Firefighters – using thermal imaging cameras – got the blaze under control and all people have been accounted for.
Shocking images show plumes of smoke surrounding the base of the high-rise building as terrified locals look on.
Footage taken at the scene shows people gathered on a nearby patch of grass as emergency services work to tackle the fire.
The London Fire Brigade wrote on Twitter: ‘The flat fire in Kennington is under control.
‘There are no reports of any injuries. A flat on the first floor was badly damaged but crews prevented further spread.’
The London Fire Brigade wrote on Twitter: ‘The flat fire in Kennington is under control.’ Pictured: A fire engine at the scene
Shocking images show plumes of smoke surrounding the base of the high-rise building as terrified locals look on
Station Commander Ned Alexander who was at the scene said: ‘Firefighters have worked exceptionally hard to get this flat fire under control.
‘The whole of the first floor flat is damaged by the blaze but crews have prevented in spreading further.
‘Around 100 people self evacuated from the building and a number of other residents stayed within their flats.
‘The Brigade’s Control has took sixty 999 calls in the early stages. There are no reports of any injured.’
The fire is now under control and all people have been accounted for, the brigade confirmed