Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Matthew Dresch & Ryan Merrifield

Deptford fire: 120 firefighters tackling huge blaze on roof of London flats

Around 120 firefighters are battling a huge blaze raging on the roof of a block of flats in London.

More than a dozen people fled the building in Creek Road, Deptford, before fire crews arrived.

An eyewitness said the blaze is believed to be 'due to building works', although London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the cause is currently unknown.

One terrified resident said he 'legged it' out of the building after going upstairs to investigate the source of smoke in his flat and spotting the fire.

The 26-year-old, who lives on the top floor of the block, told The Mirror: "We were in our bedrooms and we saw smoke and could smell smoke coming in.

"We left it for about 10 minutes until we decided we needed to look upstairs see what they're doing... there's contract work going on.

Did you see what happened? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk

Firefighters were on the scene within minutes of the blaze erupting (catherinejw_/Twitter)

"We went upstairs and saw the fire and were like right we need to get out. We grabbed a couple of things and legged it out of the building.

"The fire has spread slowly across the roof and between the gaps in the building."

The resident said all of his neighbours have escaped the block.

London Fire Brigade said crews are working hard in challenging conditions (catherinejw_/Twitter)

Catherine Woodhouse, who lives opposite the block, tweeted: "Raging fire in a block of flats on Creek Road in Greenwich.

"Believed due to building works. I watched it ignite in what seemed like 1-2 minutes. It has been going since 1pm. Fire brigade arrived SO quickly 3 min or so after we called."

She later added: "2 hours later fire still going, firemen inside the flats as well as on cherry pickers.

The fire has been raging for more than four hours (@DingliTweets/Twitter)

"Worst fire I’ve ever seen so brave to literally head inside a burning building. #londonfirebrigade @LondonFire you guys are heroes!"

Ms Woodhouse told The Mirror: "The flat on fire has wooden decking and wooden bamboo panelling with electrical cables that caught fire.

"I saw it ignite and a builder down below shouted 'yeah there will be smoke we are doing building works'.

Crews are using aerial platforms to battle the flams (Marilyn_DiCara/Twitter)

"I was shouting to the people in the flats to escape, he (the builder) initially was telling me to stop. When he realised - as the smoke got bigger - he scrambled up the scaffolding to remove what looked like a gas canister off the roof."

LFB Station Commander Ian Smith, who is at the scene, said: "This is an intense fire located in the roof of the building and fire crews are working hard in challenging conditions.

An eyewitness said they saw a builder remove a suspected gas canister from the roof after the fire broke out (Pooja Behl)

"We've increased the number of fire engines because of the need for more firefighters in breathing apparatus.

"There is a lot of smoke from the incident and we'd ask local residents to close their doors and windows."

A LFB spokesman added: "Twenty fire engines and around 120 firefighters are dealing with a fire on the roof of a block of flats on Creek Road in Deptford.

Smoke has flooded Creek Road and billowed into the sky as the fire rages (Marilyn_DiCara/Twitter)

Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter

"Around 13 people left the building before the Brigade arrived. There have been no reports of any injuries.

"The LFB was called at 1.03pm The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. Fire crews from Deptford and surrounding fire stations are at the scene."

Greenwich West Police added: "Large fire on Creek Road as you head towards Deptford. Please avoid where possible. Road is currently closed."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.