More than 30 firefighters fought a blaze on the 11th floor of a tower block in Robsart Street, Brixton, this afternoon.
The fire broke out in the two-bed maisonette in Wayland House, on the Stockwell Park Estate, at about 11.45am today. All residents left the building safely before the fire brigade arrived.
Six fire engines from Clapham, Lambeth, Brixton, and Paddington fire stations were at the scene, and the fire was under control by 12.30pm.
One resident of the ninth floor, who did not want to be named, said: “I saw smoke outside of my window and I could smell it too. Some people got themselves out of their flats but some stayed in there.
“The man who lives in the maisonette that caught fire is elderly, I think he has dementia, but he got out fine by himself.”
A woman who lives on the 3rd floor said: “I got a phone call telling me to get out of the building so I just ran down the stairs.
“I was really worried as I didn’t know what it was, then I looked up and saw the fire brigade with their hoses. There was water pouring down the stairwell.”
The ageing block is ear-marked to be torn down as part of the Stockwell Park regeneration plans.
Justin Coo, station manager, told the Brixton Blog at the scene: “The fire started in a maisonette on the 11th and 12th floors.
“Around 40 people evacuated themselves before we arrived. Firefighters worked hard to get the fire under control quickly.”
He added: “Thankfully We did not have to rescue anyone and nobody was hurt. There will now be an investigation into the cause of the fire.”
Did you see what happened, or take photographs of the blaze? Call us on 020 7737 5417 or email newsdesk@brixtonblog.com.
[…] September 17th 2012 there was a “fire on the 11th floor”. Pictures and words courtesy of “Brixton […]