Five children were dramatically led to safety by firefighters after a mattress was set on fire blocking a north London towerblock’s staircase to safety.
Two adults were also rescued after the fire ignited on the second-storey stairwell in a block of flats in Parkland Road, Wood Green on Tuesday.
Twenty-five firefighters rushed to the five-storey block giving guidance to terrified residents until they could make entry.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led five children and two adults to safety wearing smoke hoods.
A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said: “Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people.
“If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.”
The Brigade was called at 12.11pm and the fire was under control by 4.37pm. Fire crews from Hornsey, Kentish Town, Holloway and Edmonton fire stations attended the fire.
The force added the cause of the fire will be investigated.
