Flat fire – Thamesmead

Firefighters rescued two people from a flat fire on Booth Close in Thamesmead.

Part of the ground floor of a mid-terraced house converted into flats was damaged by fire. One woman left the building before the Brigade arrived. Another woman was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Station Officer Matthew Cole, who was at the scene, said: “On arrival crews were faced with smoke coming from a vent on the ground floor of the building and we saw a woman at a window on the second floor.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly made their way into the building and found a man on the first floor, who was rescued via an internal staircase using a fire escape hood.

“Crews pitched a 9-metre ladder to the second-floor window and rescued a woman who was then taken to hospital.

“Crews worked incredibly hard in poor visibility to bring the fire under control and rescue two people inside the building.

“This was a good use of fire escape hoods, which can 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.”

The Brigade was called at 0005 and the fire was under control by 0146. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Plumstead, Erith and East Greenwich fire stations attended the scene.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.

Safety advice for smokers:

• It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
• Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
• Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
• Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.