This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8133871.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Two children killed in tower fire Two children killed in tower fire
(30 minutes later)
Two children have died and about 30 people were rescued after a fire swept through a tower block in London. Two children have died and 30 people have been rescued after a fire swept through a tower block in London.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said about 25 people were initially trapped in the 12-storey Lakanal House on the Sceaux Gardens Estate in Camberwell. The pair, a three-week old baby and a seven year old, were caught up in the blaze at 12-storey Lakanal House on the Sceaux Gardens Estate in Camberwell.
Thirteen people, including the two children who died, were taken to the hospital. Three are said to be serious. The two children who died were among 16 people taken to hospital. At its height some 100 firefighters fought the blaze.
The LFB said it was searching the flats but everyone is believed to have been removed. The fire is now under control.The LFB said it was searching the flats but everyone is believed to have been removed. The fire is now under control.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the LFB Tom Chidley told BBC News that the fire had been contained. Deputy assistant commissioner of the LFB Tom Chidley told BBC News that the fire had been contained.
About 100 firefighters and 18 fire engines tackled the blaze, which began at about 1620 BST. He said: "The initial crews were met by a serious fire which quickly developed. They called on extra resources.
'Difficult circumstances' 'Very alarming'
Mr Chidley said six children and seven adults had been taken to hospital. "We ended up having 100 firefighters at the scene with some of our specialist fire rescue units attending as well."
A London Ambulance spokesman said most of them had suffered smoke inhalation. Eighteen fire engines were used to tackle the blaze, which began at about 1620 BST.
Currently it is charred and blackened Eyewitness George Maddocks
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said 16 people, among them seven children, had been taken to hospital.
An LFB spokesman said that the "serious" fire was believed to have started in a stairwell and spread to the communal areas between floors four and 11.An LFB spokesman said that the "serious" fire was believed to have started in a stairwell and spread to the communal areas between floors four and 11.
"A number of rescues have been carried out in extremely difficult circumstances," he said."A number of rescues have been carried out in extremely difficult circumstances," he said.
It was shocking to see the quantities of smoke and flames Eyewitness Sarah Gresty
A Southwark Council spokesman said some of the residents had been evacuated to nearby Welton Hall.
George Maddocks, who lives nearby, told BBC News: "The fire engines arrived very promptly but I think the height of the block was a problem.George Maddocks, who lives nearby, told BBC News: "The fire engines arrived very promptly but I think the height of the block was a problem.
"There seemed to be one window and one room ablaze when the fire brigade got there."There seemed to be one window and one room ablaze when the fire brigade got there.
"Currently it is charred and blackened.""Currently it is charred and blackened."
Sarah Gresty, who lives in Havil Street, said she could see a column of flames and smoke in the flats going up a number of floors.Sarah Gresty, who lives in Havil Street, said she could see a column of flames and smoke in the flats going up a number of floors.
"It was very alarming seeing it," she said. "The fire was going in quite a few flats. "It was very alarming seeing it," she said.
"The fire was going in quite a few flats.
"It was shocking to see the quantities of smoke and flames.""It was shocking to see the quantities of smoke and flames."
A Southwark Council spokesman said some of the residents had been taken to nearby Welton Hall.
Are you in Camberwell? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Are you in Camberwell? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
You can also send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.You can also send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions