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.
