Three fire engines and 14 fire fighters and officers were called to a fire at a basement flat on New Cavendish Street in Fitzrovia in the early hours of this morning.
Part of a room in the basement flat of a five floored block of flats was damaged by the fire. Fortunately a resident from a neighbouring flat was alerted by a smoke alarm actuating and called the Brigade. No injuries are reported.
Crew Manager Tom Tracey was at the scene and said: “Thankfully, because these residents had smoke alarms, they had a lucky escape and were able to leave the property without injury. As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor – in the hallways and the rooms you use the most, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home.”
Fit smoke alarms and test them monthly
Homes need multiple smoke alarms. Fires can start in any room. Fit smoke alarms in your hallways and landings and in any room where you:
- Smoke
- Use candles, incense sticks or portable heaters
- Leave electrical equipment on or on charge – such as satellite boxes, heaters, computers or mobile phones
- Fit a heat alarm in your kitchen.
The Brigade was called at 0306 and the incident was over by 0410. Fire crews from Soho and Paddington fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
