Five-year-old boy dies after fire breaks out in southeast London flat

A five-year-old boy has died after a fire broke out at a residence in southeast London.

A 34-year-old woman and two boys - aged 14 and five - were rescued from the home on Russett Way in Greenwich early on Saturday morning.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to the block of flats at 5.44am, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said in a statement.

The fire caused damage to part of the top floor on a split-level maisonette but was brought under control by 6.49 am, LFB added.

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Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued the woman and two children from the top floor of the property.

All three were rushed to south London hospitals after sustaining injuries.

Emergency services and hospital staff battled to save the life of the five-year-old but he died just before 8 a.m.

The woman and 14-year-old remain in hospital in a serious condition.

Metropolitan Police officers, who were called to the home by the London Fire Brigade at 5.56 am, have launched an investigation into the blaze.

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Detectives and crime scene examiners are working closely with the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire, police said.

The family has been told and are being supported by specialist family liaison officers, Scotland Yard added.

Fire crews from Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford, New Cross, Lee Green and East Greenwich attended the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith, who is leading the investigation, said: “A child has lost his life in extremely tragic circumstances.

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“At this stage, I am keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire. I urge anyone with information to come forward."

Anyone with information should call 0208 345 3985 with the reference Operation Tampere or CAD1321/06MAR or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

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