A major fire broke out at a mid-terraced house converted into flats on Lexham Gardens, Kensington, today, prompting a massive response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB). The blaze, which engulfed part of a four-room flat on the fifth floor, saw ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters rush to the scene.
The first call to emergency services was made at 12:31 pm, with crews mobilised from Fulham, Wandsworth, Paddington, and other nearby stations. The fire was brought under control by 2:21 pm, roughly two hours after the initial alert.
Efforts to Combat the Blaze
The fire brigade deployed one of their 32-metre turntable ladders to use as a water tower, helping to tackle the fire from above. Smoke from the blaze was visible across the Kensington area, drawing significant attention from residents and passersby.
Two people were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service paramedics for smoke inhalation, but fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.
Cause of the Fire Under Investigation
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Team. Authorities are looking into potential structural and electrical factors, as well as the origin point within the flat.
An LFB spokesperson stated:
“We responded promptly and efficiently to a significant fire in a residential building. Our crews worked exceptionally hard to prevent the fire from spreading further and to ensure the safety of residents.”
Community Impact and Reactions
Residents of Lexham Gardens expressed shock and concern, with many evacuated as a precaution. One local resident, Anna Miller, said:
“I saw thick black smoke billowing from the building. It was terrifying, especially seeing so many fire engines arriving. Thankfully, the firefighters seemed to get it under control quickly.”
On social media, some users posted videos of the smoke rising from the building, with one tweet reading:
“Scary scenes in Kensington today – hope everyone’s safe. Huge respect to the firefighters.”
Fire Safety Warnings
Following the incident, the LFB reminded residents to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms and to practice fire evacuation plans. They emphasized the importance of reporting any fire hazards or suspicious activities to authorities immediately.
Appeal for Witnesses
The Fire Investigation Team is calling on anyone who witnessed the start of the fire or has relevant information to come forward. If you saw something or have footage of the incident, please contact the London Fire Brigade at 0800 032 0101.
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