A devastating fire erupted in a residential building located in London’s prestigious South Kensington neighborhood during the early hours of Friday, resulting in injuries to at least eleven individuals and the evacuation of approximately 130 others.
According to fire officials, the blaze broke out at a terraced house converted into apartments on Emperor’s Gate, situated in the southwest area of the British capital, near the renowned Natural History Museum. Fifteen fire engines and about 100 firefighters swiftly responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, responders encountered flames engulfing half of the ground floor of the five-storey building, which had spread to the top floor and roof by that time, as reported by the London Fire Brigade.
Station Commander Steve Collins, present at the scene, emphasized the arduous efforts being made to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings. Five individuals were rescued using ladders, while approximately 130 residents were evacuated from the affected property and nearby structures.
The fire service disclosed that around 11 people required treatment for smoke inhalation and were subsequently transported to hospitals for further medical attention. The incident underscores the importance of swift and coordinated response efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of affected individuals during such emergencies.