House fire - Knightsbridge

Firefighters were called to a fire at a house on Montpelier Walk in Knightsbridge.

A laundry room on the first floor of the terraced house was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued one man from the second floor using a fire escape hood. 

Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier. 

The fire is believed to have involved a washing machine.

The firefighters' bedtime checklist

• Close all your internal doors to prevent smoke spreading if a fire starts
• Turn off and unplug electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on – like your fridge or freezer
• Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher on overnight and unattended
• Don’t leave mobile phones, tablets or e-cigarettes charging overnight
• Check that your hob and oven switches are all off
• Make sure escape routes are clear of anything that may slow your escape down
• Keep door and window keys where everyone you live with can find them
• If you or anyone else in the home has mobility issues, ensure mobility aids and methods of calling for help(like emergency pendants) are close to hand in case help is needed to assist with an escape

The Brigade was called at 0523 and the fire was under control by 0626. Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Soho fire station attended the scene.