A dramatic fire ripped through a converted Victorian house in Notting Hill early Friday morning, triggering a major emergency response and warnings for the public to avoid the area.
Over 100 firefighters were deployed to Oxford Gardens shortly before 3am after a detached property, divided into flats, was found engulfed in flames.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed that the blaze was under control by 6.10am after a relentless three-hour effort.
Major Fire Engulfs Oxford Gardens Home in Early Hours
Despite the scale of the incident, no injuries were reported. Station Commander Duncan Rees, who led the operation, said: “Crews worked hard to bring the fire under control in the early hours of this morning.
One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders was used as a water tower to tackle the flames from above. We asked the public to avoid the area where possible as we worked to bring the incident safely under control.”
The fire tore through the roof, first and second floors, and mezzanine level, leaving significant structural damage. Photographs captured by the Brigade show thick grey smoke pouring from the building as firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze.
Massive Emergency Response as Cause of Fire Remains Unknown
Crews from 15 fire engines raced to the scene from stations across London, including Wembley, Acton, Hammersmith, Kensington, and Paddington. The first 999 call came in at 2.52am, triggering an immediate and large-scale response.
Frightened residents looked on as emergency crews battled flames shooting through the roof of the period home, just metres from neighbouring properties in one of London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
Firefighters continued working through the morning to damp down hot spots and secure the building. An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire, though no further details have been shared at this stage.
Recent Fires Raise Safety Questions in London Homes
The Oxford Gardens incident comes just a day after a separate house fire in New Cross left a woman and two children hospitalised.
Although the two incidents are unrelated, the proximity in timing has sparked concern over fire safety in older London homes, many of which have been converted into multiple flats.
Local residents described the scene as “terrifying,” with one witness saying, “It looked like something out of a movie. There was smoke everywhere, and the flames were roaring from the top floor.”
As structural assessments continue, roads surrounding the area remain closed, and the public is still being asked to avoid the site. The building has been deemed unsafe for re-entry, and further updates are expected once the fire investigation concludes.
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