Firefighters rescue man and battle blaze in a mixed-use building near Goodge Street Station
A fire broke out early on Tottenham Street, Fitzrovia, sending thick smoke over central London and prompting emergency evacuations.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) deployed six fire engines and approximately 40 firefighters to combat the blaze, which started shortly before 7:45 am. The fire severely damaged the ground floor of a mixed-use building near Goodge Street Station.
A man was rescued by firefighters using a fire escape hood, designed to protect against toxic fumes. He was safely removed from the premises and taken to hospital for treatment.
Residents in the area described the acrid smell of smoke filling the streets, with many covering their mouths and noses as firefighters worked to contain the flames. One local remarked that the entire Clerkenwell area had been affected by the odour.
Emergency responders urged people to avoid the vicinity while fire crews worked to extinguish the flames. Locals were also advised to keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke inhalation.
Reverend Jennifer Mills-Knutsen from a nearby church provided support to those affected, offering evacuees a space to rest and charge their phones. “These are our neighbours, and we want to make sure they are looked after,” she said.
LFB reported that half of the ground floor was engulfed in flames, with a 32-metre turntable ladder used to fight the fire from above. The brigade received 14 emergency calls about the incident, mobilising crews from Soho, Euston, and Islington fire stations.
By 9:36 am, LFB confirmed that the situation was under control. Fire investigators and Metropolitan Police remained on-site to determine the cause of the blaze, which remains unknown.
