Flat fire - Deptford

Firefighters have issued a safety warning after a barbecue is believed to have caused a large fire at a block of flats on Childers Street in Deptford.

Half of a flat on the fifth floor of a six-storey block and most of the roof were damaged by fire. Part of the roof of an adjacent block of flats was also damaged by the blaze. Two people left the affected flat before the Brigade arrived and around 100 people were evacuated from the building. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade's fire investigators believe the fire was caused by a barbecue which was disposed of in a plastic bag and left on the balcony.

Station Commander Emma Carr, who was at the scene, said: “Two people left the affected flat and firefighters evacuated the rest of the block as a precaution due to the amount of smoke.

“This was a challenging incident due to the fire being in a roof hatch and firefighters worked hard to bring it under control.

“Aerial ladder platforms were used to tackle the blaze in the roof from height.”

The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 35 calls to the fire.

The Brigade was called at 1926 and the fire was under control by 0005 (Thursday). Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters from Deptford, New Cross, Greenwich, Old Kent Road, Lewisham and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

Five ways to stay BBQ safe

• Never use a BBQ – including disposables – indoors or on your balcony
• Be careful where you position your BBQ – we suggest on level ground, well away from anything flammable like sheds, fences, trees or tents.
• Don't use petrol, paraffin or any flammable liquids on your BBQ – firelighters are a much safer option. 
• Carefully supervise children – little ones can all too easily trip and fall, while older children might hurt themselves trying to help. 
• Be pet-aware – dogs (and some cats!) love to snaffle sausages and can cause accidents getting under your feet. To be really safe, keep Fido indoors, or at least out of the immediate vicinity of the BBQ.