A South East London house fire has tragically claimed the life of a 90-year-old woman during the early hours of Monday, 14 April. Emergency services rushed to the scene on Nithdale Road, Plumstead, following reports of a blaze engulfing a two-storey mid-terraced home.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) received the alert at 1.48am and promptly dispatched fire crews from Plumstead, Eltham, and Sidcup stations. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered the building alight, with significant fire damage to the ground floor.
Despite their swift response, the woman rescued from the premises was later pronounced dead at the scene by the London Air Ambulance’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service team.
Firefighters managed to bring the situation under control by 2.39am, just under an hour after their arrival. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, with both the LFB and Metropolitan Police Service working jointly on the case.
A police spokesperson stated: “Police were called to a report of a fire at an address in Nithdale Road, Plumstead at around 01:53hrs on Monday, 14 April. Emergency services attended and a 90-year-old woman was taken to hospital, where she sadly died.
The circumstances of the fire is being investigated and an increase in police presence can be expected in the area. Enquiries are ongoing.”
In a separate statement, an LFB representative added: “Sadly, a woman has died following a house fire on Nithdale Road, Plumstead. The fire occurred in a mid-terraced property of two floors, damaging part of the ground floor.
Crews rescued a woman from the property, but she was sadly later declared dead at the scene by a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service team. The Brigade was first called about the incident at 0148, and crews from Plumstead, Eltham, and Sidcup fire stations were sent to the scene.
Firefighters had the incident under control by 0239. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and Metropolitan Police Service.”
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed there will be an increased presence in the local area while investigations continue. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.
This tragic incident follows other recent fire emergencies across the capital, including a major blaze at a scrap yard in Dagenham that sent smoke billowing across East London.
