Emergency crews rescued 11 people from a residential block in North Kensington following a fire and explosion last night. Firefighters were called to North Pole Road shortly before 11.30pm yesterday (Thursday, June 19).
London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed two second floor flats were damaged in the incident, so crews were forced to use 32-metre ladders to rescue seven residents trapped inside. Another four were rescued by using an internal staircase.
Sone 80 firefighters from 12 crews across North Kensington, Kensington, Hammersmith and other nearby areas were able to bring the incident under control by 1am. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
A LFB spokesperson said: “Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters responded to a fire following reports of an explosion on North Pole Road, North Kensington.
“Two flats on the second floor, in a residential block of three floors, have been damaged as a result of the incident. One of the Brigade’s 32 metre ladders was deployed to the scene as part of our response. Seven people were rescued from the building by crews utilising 13.5 metre ladders. A further four residents rescued by crews wearing Breathing Apparatus via an internal staircase.
“The Brigade received the first of 15 calls reporting the incident at 11.26pm and control officers mobilised crews from North Kensington, Hammersmith, Kensington and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
“Firefighters were able to bring the incident under control by 0.56am. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade’s Fire Investigators.”
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