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A 12-year-old boy has tragically died following a late-night flat fire in Lewisham, prompting a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade.
Emergency services were called at 11:54pm on Tuesday 8 July to Lewisham Road, SE13, after reports of a fire tearing through a maisonette in a residential block.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters battled the blaze, which left one maisonette completely destroyed and parts of adjacent homes severely damaged. The fire was brought under control by 2:02am.
Despite the efforts of paramedics and firefighters, the young boy was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. He has been formally identified as Fabian Henry, a pupil at St John Roan School. His grieving family are being supported by specialist officers.
A 54-year-old woman, believed to be the boy’s mother, managed to escape the fire—reportedly by jumping from a window—and was taken to hospital. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Ambulance Service Responded with HART Team
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:
“We were called at 11.56pm on Tuesday 8 July to reports of a fire in Lewisham Road, SE13.
We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, advanced paramedic practitioners, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
We treated one person who was discharged at the scene. Sadly, another person was pronounced dead.”
Investigation Underway
Police and London Fire Brigade investigators have launched a joint inquiry into the cause of the blaze. While early indications suggest the fire is not believed to be suspicious, a full forensic examination is ongoing.
Detective Chief Inspector Danian Reid, from the Met’s local investigations team in southeast London, said:
“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.
We continue to work alongside investigators from the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire.
We understand the impact this will have on the community and there will be local neighbourhood officers, and other emergency services, in the area as enquiries continue.”
Community in Mourning
Floral tributes have been left at the scene, and emotional neighbours described desperate scenes as the fire spread “like a tinderbox.”
One neighbour recalled hearing the mother screaming, “My boy, my boy, please help my boy,” while others described the sound of screaming and explosions as the fire engulfed the building.
The London Fire Brigade’s Drone Team was deployed to provide aerial support during the incident. A blue tarpaulin now covers the charred windows of the destroyed flat.
Emergency Response
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said:
“Ten fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a block of maisonettes on Lewisham Road.
A maisonette split between the ground and first floors was destroyed, and parts of another were damaged, as was a section of the external building fascia.
One woman was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service. Three other people left the building before crews arrived.
The Brigade’s Drone Team was deployed to provide an aerial view of the fire.
Control Officers took the first of 14 calls at 23:55. Crews were mobilised from Greenwich, Lewisham, Lee Green, and surrounding stations.
The fire was under control by 02:02. The cause is under investigation.”
Residents have been advised to avoid the area, and Lewisham Road remains partially closed.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police via 101 quoting CAD 7880/8Jul, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
