In a heartbreaking incident late on Friday night, a devastating house fire in Croydon has resulted in several fatalities. The London Fire Brigade, supported by ambulance crews, paramedics, and specialized “HART” teams from the London Ambulance Service, rushed to the scene at Sanderson Road shortly after 11 pm. Despite their heroic efforts, several individuals succumbed to the intense smoke and flames.
The property, reportedly occupied by Polish nationals believed to be squatters, was engulfed in flames, prompting the deployment of six fire engines and an aerial ladder.
Concerned neighbours were quick to notify authorities as they witnessed smoke and flames billowing from the boarded-up building.
Emergency personnel were seen performing CPR, intubation, and chest compressions in a desperate attempt to save lives on the streets. The situation was dire, with medical teams fighting against the clock to revive the affected individuals.
The Metropolitan Police, in collaboration with the London Fire Brigade, has initiated a joint investigation to unravel the cause of the blaze. As of now, the origin of the fire remains a mystery, and authorities are diligently working to determine the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus successfully rescued two individuals from the blaze, which had spread to 80% of the property across two floors.
Tragically, two people lost their lives at the scene, while a third was transported to the hospital by ambulance and remains in a life-threatening condition. Additionally, two other individuals presented themselves at Croydon Hospital following the incident. Crime scene tents have been erected outside the smoke-engulfed property.
[penci_liveblog]
The area surrounding the incident has been cordoned off as a crime scene, with road closures still in effect. The London Ambulance Service, the Metropolitan Police, and the London Fire Brigade have been contacted for further statements and details regarding this heart-wrenching event.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. The community has been deeply affected by this tragedy, and efforts are underway to provide support to those affected. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Update 03:46: A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade confirmed that three people were rescued by the service. Six fire engines were dispatched to the incident, and a joint investigation between the LFB and the Met Police has been initiated to determine the cause of the fire. The spokesperson was unable to confirm the conditions of those rescued and indicated that further details would be released later in the morning.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson stated:
“On Friday 29 December at 10.45 pm, we were called to reports of a fire in Sanderstead Road, Croydon.
“We sent several resources to the incident. We remain on the scene alongside colleagues from the London Fire Brigade.”
Police were alerted by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at 22:48 hrs on Friday, 29 December, to a house fire in Sanderstead Road, South Croydon. Officers responded along with LFB and the London Ambulance Service. Two men were sadly pronounced dead at the scene, while a third man was taken to the hospital and remains in a life-threatening condition. Two other men later self-presented at the hospital, with one in a life-threatening condition and the other having been discharged. The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police.
A Spokesman for the Met Police said Police were called by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at 10.48pm on Friday, 29 December to a house fire in Sanderstead Road, South Croydon.
[data-ps-embed-type=slideshow] > iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;} _psEmbed(“https:///uknip.photoshelter.com”);Officers attended along with LFB and the London Ambulance Service. Two men were sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are working to inform their next of kin. A third man was taken to hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition. A fourth and fifth man later self-presented at the hospital. One of the men is in a life-threatening condition and the other has since been discharged. The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police.
A Spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said in a statement: Sadly two people have died following a house fire on Sanderstead Road in South Croydon overnight (December 29). Most of the ground floor of a two-storey end-of-terraced house was damaged by fire. Three people were rescued from the house by firefighters and treated by London Ambulance Service crews. Sadly, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. One person was taken to hospital and a further two people self-presented at hospital later. The Brigade was called at 2239 and the fire was brought under control by 0016. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Croydon, Purley, Woodside, Norbury and Wallington fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and Metropolitan Police.
