Firefighters were called at about 5 pm. today to the fire at a block of flats. People warned by Fire brigade to stay away as huge blaze erupts at London apartment block in Croydon. Massive blaze breaks out as 60 firefighters battle to quell the flames at a block of flats on White Horse Road, Croydon in South London.
About 80 people were evacuated from the building and the public is now being advised to avoid the area while 8 fire engines and crews are working to put out the blaze. The London Fire Brigade had signified that they were making progress with the fire which has consumed part of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of a 5-storey block of flats, and added that 999 Control Officers have received over 40 calls regarding the fire.
It was reported that there were 6 fire engines in total as well as various amounts of police and ambulance on the scene within 5 minutes.
Fire crews from Wallington, Woodside, Croydon, Wallington as well as surrounding fire stations, ambulance crews and police are all at the scene. The cause of the fire is yet to be known.
Road closures are expected to be in place for several hours this evening and people were being urged to avoid the local area.
Prior to the arrival of the fire department’s first two engines, Allan Brown, 44 who lives and works in Croyden said that several residents including children were seen running from the lower floor of the building with some residents attempting to get back into the building, but the blaze was very high. The area had to be cleared owing to the smoke that filled it.
Sarah Jones, Labour MP for Croyden Central and Shadow Minister for Policing and the Fire Service said ‘Praying everyone is safe.’
