Major Fire in Lambeth Sees Four Children Hospitalised
Four children have been taken to hospital for precautionary treatment following a significant fire that broke out at a high-rise residential building in Lambeth this morning. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, January 21, led to the evacuation of more than twenty residents from their homes as flames rapidly spread through the structure.
Emergency Response and Evacuation
London Fire Brigade received the first emergency call at 8:05 am, prompting an immediate and substantial response. Approximately sixty firefighters from stations across South London, including Brixton, Clapham, and Peckham, were dispatched to the scene on Barrington Road, near Loughborough Junction station. Eight fire engines arrived to combat the blaze at the eleven-storey tower block.
The fire caused extensive damage, completely destroying two flats located on the fifth and sixth floors of the building. As a safety measure, paramedics assessed and transported four children to hospital for further medical evaluation, though their conditions are currently described as precautionary.
Scene Management and Investigation
Police established a security cordon around the area, temporarily closing the junction with Millbrook Road to all traffic to ensure public safety and allow emergency operations to proceed unimpeded. Fire crews managed to bring the situation under control by 9:33 am, after which the immediate threat was neutralised.
London Fire Brigade has confirmed that an investigation is now actively underway to determine the precise cause of the fire. A spokesperson detailed the scale of the response, noting that the Brigade's Control Office handled a total of twenty-three calls related to the incident, highlighting the concern and urgency surrounding the event.
Community Impact and Aftermath
The fire has displaced numerous residents, with over twenty individuals forced to leave their homes during the emergency. The destruction of two flats underscores the severity of the blaze, which required a coordinated effort from multiple fire stations across the region to contain.
Authorities are working to support those affected while the investigative process continues. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of fire safety in residential buildings, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Lambeth.
