Yahoo News Fire at block of flats near Grenfell Tower now 'under control'
A fire at a block of flats close to Grenfell Tower had residents fearing a blaze similar to the one that killed 72 people in June 2017.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called at 11.39am on Friday to a report of “smoke issuing” from Markland House on Darfield Way, Notting Hill.
The fire is now under control, but crews will remain on the site this afternoon.
The building is a few minutes away from the scene of the tragic Grenfell Tower blaze in June 2017, which claimed the lives of 72 people.
LFB said eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to the fire.
The Brigade’s 999 control officers took 27 emergency calls regarding the incident.
#Kensington
BREAKING: A fire has broken out in a flat within a tower block on Darfield Way in #NottingHill, #W10.
London Fire Brigade say they currently have 60 firefighters at the scene. pic.twitter.com/78HgiDasNp— London 999 Feed (@999London) August 23, 2019
Danielle Bond, who witnessed the blaze from a nearby office block, said the fire had spread to six floors.
She said: “The fire is spreading upwards, don’t know what it’s like inside but flames are going up the building on one side.”
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Another resident, Dhin Chittenden, said she cried as she ran down the steps from her 11th floor flat.
The 26-year-old receptionist said she was already fearful about another Grenfell Tower-type tragedy before the fire broke out.
She said: “I kept thinking about that. If it’s happened somewhere else then it could happen again.”
A maintenance worker at the tower block knocked on the Ms Chittenden’s flat and told them to leave.
Standing in her slippers, she said: “I just grabbed my phone, my keys and ran downstairs.”
The fire in #NottingHill is now under control. Firefighters will remain on scene this afternoon. There are no reports of any injuries https://t.co/SfqEUouweA pic.twitter.com/INxTNivvRj
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) August 23, 2019
The cause of the blaze is not yet known. No injuries have been reported.
Kensington and Chelsea Council said: "We’re aware of the fire in Darfield Way and have several officers on the scene to assess the cause.
"We will keep you informed of any updates as we receive them."
