Smoke alarms and the calming advice of 999 control officers help rescue people from a flat fire on Bourne Terrace, W2 in the early hours of this morning.
The residents of a first floor flat were woken by the smoke alarm sounding and called the Brigade. The fire started in the kitchen and due to the smoke they were unable to escape. The 999 control operator stayed on the phone and gave them advice until firefighters arrived.
When firefighters arrived they pitched a ladder and rescued two people from the first floor flat. Fire crews quickly got the fire under control and contained it to the flat.
Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from Paddington, Kensington and North Kensington fire stations were at the scene. The Brigade was called at 0244 and the fire was under control by 0351. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A spokesperson for the Brigade said: “Smoke alarms provide a vital early warning and buy you extra time to escape if there is a fire. It alerted the residents who were helped by 999 control officers before firefighters arrived.
"Everyone should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and the safest option is have those linked together. This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home."
Two people were rescued via ladder from a first floor flat by crews. The residents of the flat were awoken by smoke alarms and were able to raise the alarm. Control stayed on the telephone offering them guidance until they were rescued. Crews administered first aid until the arrival of the LAS. The fire was successfully contained to the flat of origin and was under control quickly. The cause of the fire is under investigation.