Fire crews evacuated nine people after a fire in a block of flats on Ayley Croft in Enfield week. They also praised residents living there for knowing their fire plan after the blaze broke out in the 12 storey building.
The fire left half of a five-roomed flat on the sixth floor badly damaged.
Station Manager Sean Madeley who was at the scene said people living in other parts of the block which were unaffected by the fire had done the safest thing by staying inside their own flats.
He added: “Our crews worked hard to get this fire quickly under control and contain it to the affected flat. Nine people from neighbouring flats who were affected by smoke from the fire were led to safety by firefighters.
“The rest of the people in the block, who weren’t being affected by the fire, stayed put in their own flats which was absolutely the right thing to do.
“If you live in a high rise or purpose built block and the fire is elsewhere in the building staying inside your own flat is the safest thing to do unless the heat or smoke is directly affecting you. Purpose-built flats are designed to give you protection from fire for between 30 and 60 minutes.
“If you leave your flat you could be rushing into choking smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building.”
One elderly lady was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service suffering from smoke inhalation.
Four fire engines and twenty firefighters and officers from Enfield and Edmonton fire stations attended the incident.
The Brigade was called at 1457 and the fire was under control at 1547.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
To find out more visit www.knowtheplan.co.uk
