West Hampstead Fire: Crews Battle Balconies Blaze
A dramatic fire broke out in a block of flats in West Hampstead on Tuesday morning, sending towering flames and thick plumes of black smoke into the sky above north-west London. The blaze, which erupted on Heritage Lane, rapidly spread to four balconies, prompting a significant emergency response.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed that they were called to the scene at around 11:25 BST. Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers were deployed to tackle the fire, which engulfed multiple levels of the residential building. Crews from stations including West Hampstead, Paddington, and Kentish Town were among those responding.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames shooting high above the roofline and heavy smoke visible from miles around. Among them was local resident Kirsten Levermore, who described the scene as “apocalyptic” and likened it to a bomb site.
“I was walking past and suddenly saw a huge burst of flames,” said Levermore. “It looked like a bomb had hit it. There were massive clouds of smoke, and people were just standing still in shock.”
Footage shared on social media showed the intensity of the fire as it ripped through the building’s balconies, with the heat melting window frames and setting outdoor furniture ablaze. Some residents reportedly fled the building as the fire took hold, though no injuries have been reported so far.
Fire crews worked for more than two hours to bring the fire under control. LFB later confirmed that the fire had been contained and prevented from spreading further into the interior of the flats.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “The fire affected four balconies of a residential building. Crews worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further. Thankfully, there are no reports of injuries.”
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Fire investigators have begun examining the scene to determine what may have sparked the blaze. It is not yet clear whether the fire began on one of the balconies or elsewhere in the building.
The incident comes amid growing concerns around fire safety in residential blocks, particularly in light of recent tragedies and the ongoing scrutiny over cladding and balcony materials. Though this building’s exterior does not appear to have been clad in flammable material, investigators are expected to examine all potential contributing factors.
Roads around the area were temporarily closed as firefighters worked at the scene. Local authorities have advised residents to keep windows closed due to lingering smoke in the air.
As the smoke clears, residents and neighbours are left shaken but grateful that the situation did not escalate further. Many praised the rapid response and professionalism of the fire crews.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It was terrifying to see the flames so close, but the firefighters were amazing. They were calm and worked so hard to get it under control. We’re just relieved everyone’s okay.”
The London Fire Brigade has asked anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward as they continue their investigation into the cause of the blaze.
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