Ambulance staff assess 20 people, including a baby, after flat fire in Barnfield Gardens, Woolwich
1:10pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Where I Live By Robert Fisk
Update: Ambulance staff assess 20 people, including a baby, after Woolwich flat fire
A BABY was among the 13 people who had to be rescued from a fire at a block of flats in Woolwich last night (February 6).
Firefighters scaled ladders to reach the residents in their homes above a ground floor flat which was on fire at about 11.30pm.
The crews managed to stop the blaze from spreading but the first floor flats were said to have been smoke logged.
Five ambulances, four hazardous area response teams and a single responder were sent to the scene in Barnfield Gardens by the London Ambulance Service.
They assessed 20 people and took a man, two women and three children to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, suffering from smoke inhalation.
It is not yet known which caused the fire which started in one of the bedrooms in the two-bedroom property.
Fire crews from Woolwich, Plumstead and Eltham were at the scene for around two hours.
Watch Manager Justin Hudson, from Woolwich fire station, said: “We believe the fire was caused by a cigarette.
“This fire shows just how dangerous cigarettes can be so if you do smoke, please make sure your cigarette is completely out once you’ve finished with it.
“Hundreds of fires are caused by cigarettes each year in London and many of them could be easily avoided if smokers took better care.”
He said: “The ground floor flat didn’t have any smoke alarms and the residents were only alerted when a smoke alarm in one of the other flats went off.
“Having a smoke alarm in your home is essential as it provides a vital early warning if a fire breaks out and allows you to escape quickly.
“Smoke alarms save lives so I’d urge everyone to go out and get one today.”
