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Two children killed in tower fire Three people killed in tower fire
(20 minutes later)
Two children have died and 30 people were rescued after a fire swept through a tower block in south-east London. Two children and an woman have died and 30 people were rescued after a fire swept through a tower block in London.
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. The children, 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.
The two children were among 16 people taken to hospital. At its height up to 100 firefighters fought the blaze. The three victims were among 18 people taken to hospital. At its height up to 100 firefighters fought the blaze.
Fire crews are searching the flats but everyone is believed to have been removed. The fire is under control.Fire crews are searching the flats but everyone is believed to have been removed. The fire is under control.
Deputy assistant commissioner of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Tom Chidley told BBC News the fire had been contained.Deputy assistant commissioner of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Tom Chidley told BBC News the fire had been contained.
He said: "The initial crews were met by a serious fire which quickly developed. They called on extra resources.He said: "The initial crews were met by a serious fire which quickly developed. They called on extra resources.
"We ended up having 100 firefighters at the scene with some of our specialist fire rescue units attending as well.""We ended up having 100 firefighters at the scene with some of our specialist fire rescue units attending as well."
Eighteen fire engines were used to tackle the blaze, which began at about 1620 BST.Eighteen fire engines were used to tackle the blaze, which began at about 1620 BST.
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said 16 people, among them seven children, had been taken to hospital.A London Ambulance Service spokesman said 16 people, among them seven children, had been taken to hospital.
Explosion heardExplosion heard
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.
Rob Atthill, who saw the blaze break out from a nearby yard where he was working, said: "The caretaker lady at the yard, she said this fire's just started, and there was an explosion, and then we could see flames coming out. Carol Hunter, who lives in a building that backs onto Lakanal House, said: "At first it was just smoke and no-one seemed to be doing anything.
"And it got progressively worse and started another fire. You could see people's faces at the windows and there were people hanging towels tied together and stuff, trying, I think trying to get attention. "Then then five minutes later I heard a huge bang and flames were everywhere.
Currently it is charred and blackened Eyewitness George Maddocks We saw body bags coming out. I felt sick Eyewitness Carol Hunter
"I went around to try and see if I could help and I found a distraught lady who had her daughter and five kids with the neighbour and a three- year-old stuck in the bathroom on the 11th floor.
"She was on the phone them. She couldn't get to the flat so we told the firefighters. It took them a hour but they were reduced.
"It was horrible. We saw lots of children banging on the windows to get out and families screaming.
"There was even bed sheets tied together hanging out windows with people threatening to jump out if they weren't going to come and try and help. We saw body bags coming out. I felt sick.
Rob Atthill, who saw the blaze break out from a nearby yard where he was working, said: "You could see people's faces at the windows and there were people hanging towels tied together and stuff, trying, I think trying to get attention.
"People I was with, they climbed on the roof to see what was happening, and they said they could see faces of people at the windows, and people trying to smash windows. It didn't look very good"."People I was with, they climbed on the roof to see what was happening, and they said they could see faces of people at the windows, and people trying to smash windows. It didn't look very good".
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. About 50 people have been taken to nearby Welton Hall.
"There seemed to be one window and one room ablaze when the fire brigade got there.
"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.
"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."
Some of the residents have been taken to nearby Welton Hall.
Southwark Council leader Nick Stanton said: "This is a terrible thing to have happened and my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family of the children who have died and those people affected by this fire."Southwark Council leader Nick Stanton said: "This is a terrible thing to have happened and my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family of the children who have died and those people affected by this fire."
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