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/8134138.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Fatal flats blaze inquiry starts | Fatal flats blaze inquiry starts |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Investigations are under way into the cause of a tower block fire that left six people dead, including a three-week-old baby and two children. | Investigations are under way into the cause of a tower block fire that left six people dead, including a three-week-old baby and two children. |
Fire bosses believe it will take "weeks if not months" to establish how the blaze, in south-east London, happened. | Fire bosses believe it will take "weeks if not months" to establish how the blaze, in south-east London, happened. |
About 30 people were rescued from the fire at the 12-storey Lakanal House on the Sceaux Gardens Estate, Camberwell. | About 30 people were rescued from the fire at the 12-storey Lakanal House on the Sceaux Gardens Estate, Camberwell. |
More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which is thought to have started in a stairwell, at 1620 BST on Friday. | More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which is thought to have started in a stairwell, at 1620 BST on Friday. |
The bodies of a six-year-old child and two adults were found at the scene. The three-week-old baby, a seven-year-old child, and a woman were later pronounced dead in hospital. | The bodies of a six-year-old child and two adults were found at the scene. The three-week-old baby, a seven-year-old child, and a woman were later pronounced dead in hospital. |
Hotspots search | Hotspots search |
Eyewitnesses described how the tragedy had left people in the area "shocked". | |
A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said preliminary investigations have been carried out at the scene by two specialist teams. | A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said preliminary investigations have been carried out at the scene by two specialist teams. |
"They will be working alongside our firefighting crews," he said. | "They will be working alongside our firefighting crews," he said. |
"There are still hotspots in the structure which could reignite if we don't extinguish them properly." | "There are still hotspots in the structure which could reignite if we don't extinguish them properly." |
He confirmed inquiries could "take months" to complete. | He confirmed inquiries could "take months" to complete. |
We were really scared because we couldn't walk - we were crawling through the smoke Nancy Kanu, resident In Pictures: London tower blaze | We were really scared because we couldn't walk - we were crawling through the smoke Nancy Kanu, resident In Pictures: London tower blaze |
Up to 20 people were taken to three local hospitals, 18 of whom were later discharged. | Up to 20 people were taken to three local hospitals, 18 of whom were later discharged. |
Fifty other people were forced to leave their homes and were taken to an emergency centre, set up by Southwark council in nearby Welton Hall. | Fifty other people were forced to leave their homes and were taken to an emergency centre, set up by Southwark council in nearby Welton Hall. |
Firefighter Paul Glenny, who tackled the blaze, said: "I've been in the job for 30 years, and I've never seen anything like it. | Firefighter Paul Glenny, who tackled the blaze, said: "I've been in the job for 30 years, and I've never seen anything like it. |
"The hot weather and the fact that people's windows were open made the fire what it was." | "The hot weather and the fact that people's windows were open made the fire what it was." |
Carol Hunter, who lives in a building that backs on to Lakanal House, described hearing a "huge bang and then flames were everywhere". | Carol Hunter, who lives in a building that backs on to Lakanal House, described hearing a "huge bang and then flames were everywhere". |
"It was horrible. We saw lots of children banging on the windows to get out and families screaming," she said. | "It was horrible. We saw lots of children banging on the windows to get out and families screaming," she said. |
"There was even bed sheets tied together hanging out of windows with people threatening to jump out. We saw body bags coming out. I felt sick." | "There was even bed sheets tied together hanging out of windows with people threatening to jump out. We saw body bags coming out. I felt sick." |
Nancy Kanu, who lives on the fifth floor, said she saw smoke coming in through her window and in the stairwell. | Nancy Kanu, who lives on the fifth floor, said she saw smoke coming in through her window and in the stairwell. |
Speaking from the emergency centre, in Bushey Road, she said: "We were really scared because we couldn't walk - we were crawling through the smoke. | Speaking from the emergency centre, in Bushey Road, she said: "We were really scared because we couldn't walk - we were crawling through the smoke. |
"My sister was there with her three-day-old baby, who is now suffering breathing problems and I was there with my two kids." | "My sister was there with her three-day-old baby, who is now suffering breathing problems and I was there with my two kids." |
'Tragic situation' | 'Tragic situation' |
Architect Alastair Bowden, 31, who lives nearby, said he could see several floors had been affected. | Architect Alastair Bowden, 31, who lives nearby, said he could see several floors had been affected. |
The fire is thought to have started in a stairwell | The fire is thought to have started in a stairwell |
"It's quite dramatic to see a tower block on fire," he said. "It has shocked everyone. | "It's quite dramatic to see a tower block on fire," he said. "It has shocked everyone. |
"People don't think there's much of a community in Camberwell but there is. I think it will be felt strongly locally." | "People don't think there's much of a community in Camberwell but there is. I think it will be felt strongly locally." |
Harriet Harman MP, whose constituency includes the tower block, said it was "clearly a very tragic situation". | Harriet Harman MP, whose constituency includes the tower block, said it was "clearly a very tragic situation". |
"People remain calm but it's a very distressing situation," she said. | "People remain calm but it's a very distressing situation," she said. |
"I have spoken to the fire authorities and they have yet to identify the cause of the fire. | "I have spoken to the fire authorities and they have yet to identify the cause of the fire. |
"The main immediate concern is for the people who have died and for the people fighting for their lives in hospital." | "The main immediate concern is for the people who have died and for the people fighting for their lives in hospital." |
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 conditions | Read 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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |