Weather Tonight: 3°c Clear Night Morning: 9°c Sunny spells

News

Six die as fire rips through flats


04.07.09

Six people, including three young children, were killed in a blaze which ripped through a block of flats, emergency services said.

A three-week-old baby, a six-year-old and a seven-year-old died, along with three adults.

The blaze in Lakanal Flats in Sceaux Gardens, off Dalwood Street, in Camberwell, south London, began on the fourth floor of the 12 storey block on Friday afternoon and "spread rapidly" to the 11th floor, said London Fire Brigade.

A heavy smell of soot and smoke hung in the air as police and fire officials began their investigation into the cause of the fire.

The rear of the building was blackened, with several parts of the wall missing, and the area immediately around the building remained sealed off.

Neighbours described the panic and said they saw people screaming for help.

Lincent Johnson, 28, who lives across the street said: "The people were in the windows, screaming out for help.

"There was panic, there were a lot of people screaming."

He said he first smelled the fire from his nearby flat.

"It wasn't that big at first but it started to spread so quickly."

Reader views (1)

 Add your view

VERY SAD INCIDENT MAY GOD REST THEIR SOUL IN PEACE (AMIN)
IT IS WILL OF GOD

- M A Chishty, London


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 
LondonBuzzProvided by Google

Don't Miss

Top Gun Val Kilmer's arty mission to save the world

The Iceman cometh to the arts. Val Kilmer has been in London this week on what he terms "an art safari"

All stories


Promotions

The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.