80 firefighters fight blaze in block of flats in Deptford, London

Around 80 firefighters were sent to a fire at a block of flats in southeast London on Wednesday evening and were battling the blaze into the night.

Flames could be seen roaring through the flat on the sixth-floor, and also spreading to the roof, as thick plumes of smoke rose above the rooftops.

The London Fire Brigade tweeted at 7:52 p.m. on Wednesday that fire engines had been called to the flats on Childers Street in Deptford.

In a statement released after their initial tweet, the fire brigade said that a total of 12 fire engines had been called to the scene.

At 9:24 p.m., almost two hours after the fire brigade were first called at 7:26 p.m., it tweeted that crews were making ‘steady progress’ fighting the fire at the scene, finally announcing at 12:28 a.m. on Thursday that the fire was under control, and had been since 12:02 a.m.

Around 80 firefighters have been called to the scene of a fire in Deptford, southeast London, where a sixth-story flat and its roof have gone up in flames (pictured)

‘Two people left the affected flat and firefighters evacuated the rest of the block as a precaution due to the amount of smoke,’ said Station Commander Emma Carr, who was at the scene.

‘This was a challenging incident due to the fire being in a roof hatch and firefighters worked hard to bring it under control. 

‘Aerial ladder platforms were used to tackle the blaze in the roof from height,’ she added. 

Pictured: Flames coming off the roof of the sixth floor flat in Deptford, south east London

Pictured: Flames coming off the roof of the sixth floor flat in Deptford, south east London

Pictured: Firefighters at the scene fight the fire as hoses line the street delivering water

Pictured: Firefighters at the scene fight the fire as hoses line the street delivering water

In videos and images shared online by bystanders, flames could be seen engulfing the top of the block of flats and its roof as people gathered outside.

The fire trucks could also be seen in the street with their blue lights flashing, as fire fighters battled the blaze.

Some images showed a tall crane rising above rooftops, spraying water down onto the fire from above. 

A drone was reportedly used by firefighters to give an aerial view to assist those working to get the blaze under control.  

Nearby residents were able to capture footage of the first from the homes

The footage showed large flames rising from the roof of the flats

Nearby residents were able to capture footage of the first from the homes. The footage showed large flames rising from the roof of the flats

One person at the scene tweeted: ‘Just went for an evening walk with my kids and witnessed a fire block on flames in Deptford, South East London.

‘Another block of flats on fire in London Disappointed but relieved face. Praying all the occupants are safe,’ she added, and also shared a video of smoke billowing out from the rooftop.

Half the sixth floor flat and its roof were alight, but images have shown that the fire brigade appeared to be getting the blaze under control.

The fire, pictured from a nearby block of flats, could be seen engulfing the roof of the building

Local residents stand on the streets watching as the fire rages on the roof of the flats

Left: The fire, pictured from a nearby block of flats, could be seen engulfing the roof of the building. Right: Local residents stand on the streets watching as the fire rages on the roof of the flats

Fire crews used cherry pickets to get above the flats and spray water down on them to tackle the blaze

Fire crews used cherry pickets to get above the flats and spray water down on them to tackle the blaze

Emergency responders pictured on the streets below the fire. Over 80 firefighters reportedly arrived on scene to put out the blaze

Emergency responders pictured on the streets below the fire. Over 80 firefighters reportedly arrived on scene to put out the blaze

After first being called about the fire at 07:26 p.m, crews from Deptford, New Cross, Greenwich, Old Kent Road, Lewisham and surrounding fire stations arrived at the scene, the London Fire Brigade said. 

Initially, the LFB tweeted saying that eight fire engines and 60 firefighters had been called to the fire, but reinforcements were sent in after the initial report.  

The fire brigade’s statement said that it received a total of 35 calls about the fire from people in the vicinity. 

The cause of the fire is currently unknown. 

The London Fire Brigade tweeted on Wednesday evening saying eight fire engines and 60 firefighters had been sent to the blaze on Childers Street, Deptford

The London Fire Brigade tweeted on Wednesday evening saying eight fire engines and 60 firefighters had been sent to the blaze on Childers Street, Deptford

Almost two hours after the fire crews were first called to the scene, the London Fire Brigade tweeted that crews were making steady progress in tackling the blaze

Almost two hours after the fire crews were first called to the scene, the London Fire Brigade tweeted that crews were making steady progress in tackling the blaze

Smoke rises from the roof of an apartment block in Deptford, as fire crews spray water up from the road

Residents of an adjacent block of flats lean out of their windows watching as fire crews tackle the blaze

Left: Smoke rises from the roof of an apartment block in Deptford, as fire crews spray water up from the road. Right: Residents of an adjacent block of flats lean out of their windows watching as fire crews tackle the blaze

The London skyline seen through the smoke causes by the fire in the flats in Deptford

The London skyline seen through the smoke causes by the fire in the flats in Deptford

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