Published September 9, 2019
Fire ripped through a London high-rise leaving a number of families homeless.
Four floors of the building were destroyed by the blaze which took hold during the early hours of the morning.
Despite the prescience of fire alarms it is claimed some failed to alarm and families were forced to knock doors to spread evacuation demands.
More than 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines fought for more than five hours to tackle the blaze at the four storey building in Sherbrooke Way, Worcester Park.
No injuries were reported but London Fire Brigade (LFB) said crews would remain there throughout the day.
Resident Dean Fowler, who lives with his family on the top floor of the building, said: “I then heard someone screaming ‘there’s a fire, get out’, and I just got my boys and went.
“We’re alive, we’re breathing, that’s all that matters.”
Lauren Woods and Jack Edwards escaped from the top floor with their two six-month-old daughters Mia and Grace.
Louise Anns, Ms Woods’ friend and colleague, said the family had been left “devastated” having had to abandon their two cats, while their car was expected to be written off due to flooding in the building’s basement.
“Everything they have is in that flat, and it’s gone,” said Ms Anns, who has set up an online donation page to raise funds to help them.
Another crowdfunding page has been set up for all affected residents by Worcester Park councillor Jenny Batt, who said the “amazing” response from the community meant they had already been donated large amounts of items such as clothing.
The building is made up of 23 flats and based in The Hamptons estate, an American-style complex of social and private housing which was built on a former sewage treatment works.
Residents were take to the community centre as firefighters tackled the blaze. An investigation will be carried out to discover how the blaze started but it is understood the building was not protected by fire sprinklers.
* pic credit London Fire Brigade
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