Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a fire on Compton Street in Clerkenwell.
The fire occurred in a six-storey block of flats. A first-floor flat was destroyed by fire and part of a second-floor flat was damaged by fire.
Three adults and two children were led to safety by firefighters from the first-floor flat and assessed at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews from smoke inhalation before being taken to hospital as a precaution. Two adults wearing fire escape hoods were led to safety by firefighters from a third-floor flat via an internal staircase and assessed by ambulance crews. Three further people left the second floor before firefighters arrived.
London firefighters were among the first in the UK to carry fire escape hoods when they were introduced in 2018 as part of improvements following the Grenfell Tower fire. The 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.
A rest centre was set up for impacted residents whilst the incident was ongoing.
Station Commander Tom Ronan, who was at the scene, said: "Firefighters were faced with a well-developed fire but their quick and decisive action helped prevent further spread of the fire."
The fire is believed to have been caused by the failure of an oil-filled radiator.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The rise in energy costs means there’s a very real risk of heating-related fires. We know that people will turn to alternative ways to keep their families warm overnight without turning on the heating, we just want to make sure that people are staying safe at the same time.
“It’s absolutely vital that heaters are kept well away from curtains, furniture, paperwork and are never used to dry clothes. Always sit at least a metre away from the heater as it could set fire to your clothes or your chair, supervise children carefully and position a heater where it won’t be knocked over and away from pets.
"It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure these items are safety registered and in good working order. If you’re using these items around children always supervise them carefully and place heaters somewhere where they won’t be accidentally knocked over and away from anything that could catch fire.
"Firefighters recommend that you have a look at our online Home Fire Safety Checker to make sure there are no hidden hazards in your home. The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
The Brigade's Control Officers received around 10 calls about the fire.
The Brigade was called at 0029 and Control Officers mobilised crews from Shoreditch, Islington. Soho, Euston, Bethnal Green and Whitechapel fire stations to the scene. A 32-metre turntable ladder from Soho Fire Station also attended. The fire was brought under control by 0129.