The second and third floors of an eight-storey building in Shoreditch, London, caught fire yesterday evening, triggering a dramatic rescue operation.
Station Commander Paul Green, present at the scene, reported that firefighters wearing breathing apparatus pulled one man from a flat on the second floor. The man was immediately taken to hospital by ambulance crews.
Three additional residents were escorted to safety by crews equipped with fire hoods, while a fourth person was assisted from the burning building. All four received treatment for smoke inhalation at the scene, with three being transported to hospital for further medical care.
“Firefighters conducted a thorough search of the block, and two more people were assisted from the structure,” Commander Green added.
The fire followed an earlier explosion that is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak. Fire crews remain on site addressing the ongoing hazard.
A 25-metre safety cordon has been established, and a section of Bethnal Road remains closed to traffic. Authorities have advised motorists to avoid the area as the closure is expected to continue for some time.
The fire brigade received 42 emergency calls regarding the incident. Multiple teams were dispatched from Shoreditch, Shadwell, Dockhead, Islington, and nearby stations at 5.53pm and continue to manage the situation.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
Originally published by UKNIP.
