High Rise Flat Fire In London: A Fire Risk Assessment On Time Could Have Saved It.

London Fire Brigade reported on their incident page that 6 fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers were called to a flat fire on Tottenham High Road. The fire damaged around half of a 4th floor flat in the 19 storey block.

The Brigade’s ‘999’ control operators gave fire survival guidance to two residents on the ninth floor who had seen smoke from their windows but as the fire wasn’t directly affecting them they were advised to stay where they were and firefighters were sent to reassure them.

Having a fire plan in a high rise

The London Fire Brigade state: “Living in a flat is not more dangerous than living in a house but it’s important to know that your fire plan should be different. If buildings are built and maintained correctly, walls, floors and doors in flats and Maisonettes give you protection from fire – a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes – so, if there is a fire elsewhere in the building but not inside your home you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.  Stay put and call 999.”

“If you leave your flat you could be rushing into smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building.

If there is a fire inside your Flat or Maisonette, or you are being directly affected by it, our advice is to leave, close the door behind you and call 999.”

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers:

There is useful Fire Safety Information available on the London Fire Brigade website but as Residents in a High Rise Block it is imperative you know the Fire Safety Emergency Plan for your Building. Ask to see the Fire Risk Assessment for the Building, there must be on, it’s the law!  Get familiar with your escape route options and make sure that you and your family know what to do in a time of Emergency.

London Fire Risk Assessments is a long established Fire Safety Consultancy who would be happy to talk you though any Fire Safety concerns you may have with regards to High Rise Living or to help you organise a Fire Risk Assessment for your Block of Flats. Call our friendly team now on 01689 890879 or click here they will be happy to help!