A number of Finchley residents narrowly escaped injury when evacuating a block of flats on Oak Lane, East Finchley following a fire yesterday evening.

A tumble dryer had caught fire in a flat on the third floor and residents from most flats in the block started to leave the building but burning debris and glass were falling from the affected flat onto their escape route.

Watch Manager Christopher Burrows who was at the scene said;

“This is a classic example of why it is so important that you know what to do in the event of a fire if you are in a purpose built block or high rise flat. If there is a fire elsewhere in the building but not inside your home you’re usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.  If you leave your flat you could be rushing into choking smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building. Flats are built to give you some protection from fire – a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 60. Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a time.

“In this case, the fire had shattered a window which was falling onto people leaving the building. It was lucky there were no injuries.

“I was very concerned that residents of the block did not know what to do in the event of a fire. Living in a flat is not more dangerous than living in a house, but your fire plan should be different.”

4 people from the flat directly affected by the fire escaped without injury. Nearly half of the flat was damaged in the fire.

21 firefighters and officers from Finchley, Hornsey and Hendon fire stations attended the incident and they managed to stop the fire from spreading to other properties.

The Brigade was called at 1843 and the fire was under control at 1954.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a tumble dryer.