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Fatal flats fire 'is suspicious' Fatal flats fire 'is suspicious'
(39 minutes later)
A tower block fire that left six people dead, including a three-week-old baby and two children, is being treated as suspicious by police.A tower block fire that left six people dead, including a three-week-old baby and two children, is being treated as suspicious by police.
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 on the fourth floor, at 1620 BST on Friday. More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, which started in a flat on the fourth floor, at 1620 BST on Friday.
Ch Supt Wayne Chance, of the Met Police, said the cause was suspicious. Speaking at the scene, Ch Supt Wayne Chance, of the Met Police, said the fire spread rapidly to the 11th floor.
He said it spread rapidly to the 11th floor.
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.
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Police believe they know their identities but are awaiting formal identification and for next of kin to be informed before releasing their names.
Post-mortem examinations are being arranged.Post-mortem examinations are being arranged.
A fire officer remains in hospital and is being treated for minor injuries. A firefighter remains in hospital and is being treated for minor injuries.
Eyewitnesses described how the tragedy had left people in the area "shocked".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."
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.
We were really scared because we couldn't walk - we were crawling through the smoke Nancy Kanu, resident In Pictures: London tower blazeWe were really scared because we couldn't walk - we were crawling through the smoke Nancy Kanu, resident In Pictures: London tower blaze
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. In addition to the 30 people who were rescued, 120 people were evacuated from the building.
Those who were forced to leave their homes 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: "It's quite dramatic to see a tower block on fire. It has shocked everyone."
The fire is thought to have started in a stairwell Chief Supt Wayne Chance: "Priority is to make the scene safe"
"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."
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".
"The main immediate concern is for the people who have died and for the people fighting for their lives in hospital," she said.
Southwark council leader Nick Stanton praised the work of the emergency services, saying he was "in awe of the courage and professionalism" shown.Southwark council leader Nick Stanton praised the work of the emergency services, saying he was "in awe of the courage and professionalism" shown.
The Metropolitan Police said it was still too early to say how the fire started and that officers were working with the LFB's investigation team to establish the cause.The Metropolitan Police said it was still too early to say how the fire started and that officers were working with the LFB's investigation team to establish the cause.
It said its priority was to make the building safe.It said its priority was to make the building safe.
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