Fire crews rush to smoke pouring from block of flats in London

The emergency services rushed to a block of flats which caught on fire in south London.

Huge amounts of smoke could be seen pouring out of the ground floor of Walters House on the Brandon Estate, in Otto Street, Kennington on Saturday afternoon.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters rushed to the scene, and around 100 people left the building of their own accord.

The whole of a flat on the first floor was damaged by fire.

Station commander Ned Alexander from the London Fire Brigade said: ‘Firefighters have worked exceptionally hard to get this flat fire under control. The whole of the first floor flat is damaged by the blaze but crews have prevented it spreading further.

‘Around 100 people self-evacuated from the building and a number of other residents stayed within their flats.

‘The Brigade’s control took 60 999 calls in the early stages. There are no reports of any injured.’

The Brigade was called at 12.31pm and the fire was under control by 1.17pm. Fire crews from Lambeth and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

Firefighters say the cause of the fire is under investigation.

One witness said they heard a barbecue in a flat caught fire, but this has not yet been confirmed.

A number of videos were posted on social media of the smoke, which could be seen for quite a distance.

Adam Honeysett-Watts tweeted: ‘Tower block on fire in Kennington. Counted about 15-20 fire engines, dozens of marked and unmarked police cars plus several ambulances rushing to the scene. Hope everyone is safe.’

Dr Aminata Kanu wrote: ‘Oh Lord! I can see a tower block on fire in Kennington!’

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