Woman dies after fire rips through west London flat

"Seventy firefighters and ten fire engines were called to the apartment building on Brooks Road in Chiswick last Friday. One woman was rescued from the flat by firefighters before being taken to hospital where she later died on January 13. Four people were also rescued from neighbouring flats and were provided with escape hoods before being taken to hospital as a precaution."

"London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner, Andy Pennick, said: Our thoughts are with the woman's family and friends as well as all those impacted by this sad incident. Both during and after the fire, local crews and officers have worked closely with our partners to ensure the other residents, many of whom are elderly or vulnerable, were well-supported. This included setting up an immediate rest centre for around 30 residents who were evacuated from the building."

"Whilst the cause of this fire remains under investigation, I can confirm the Brigade was alerted to this fire due to an automatic fire alarm sounding, with the first 999 call confirming a fire not received until firefighters were already on scene. This fire highlights the importance of working smoke alarms, particularly in residential buildings or where vulnerable people are present, which undoubtedly enabled our crews to arrive on scene as quickly as possible and prevent significant fire spread and further tragedy."

A fire ripped through a supported living accommodation block on Brooks Road in Chiswick, killing one woman who was rescued from her flat and later died on January 13. Four people from neighbouring flats were rescued and provided with escape hoods before being taken to hospital as a precaution. Firefighters rescued five people in total and set up an immediate rest centre for around 30 evacuated residents, many elderly or vulnerable. The London Fire Brigade mobilised ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters, with the first crew arriving within three minutes. The brigade was alerted by an automatic fire alarm; the cause remains under investigation.

Read at www.standard.co.uk