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Child dies following fire at London council block
A five-year-old child has died after a fire in a council-owned block of flats in south east London.
Firefighters were called to Russett Way in Greenwich on Saturday morning, where the top floor of a split-level maisonette was ablaze.
A woman and two children were rescued from the flat and taken to hospital by ambulance, where one of the children died.
The woman, 34, and a 14-year-old boy remained in hospital in a serious condition as of Saturday evening.
Detectives and crime scene examiners from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Specialist Crime Command are investigating the circumstances of the incident along with the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Greenwich Council confirmed to Inside Housing that it owns the flat involved in the fire.
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Detective chief inspector Laurence Smith, who is leading the police investigation, said: “A child has lost his life in extremely tragic circumstances.
“At this stage, I am keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire. I urge anyone with information to come forward.”
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford, New Cross, Lee Green and East Greenwich fire stations were sent out to the block following a call at 5.44am on Saturday, the LFB said in a statement.
Crews had the fire under control by 6.49am.
A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said: “An investigation is under way following a fire at a Royal Borough of Greenwich maisonette.
“Our thoughts go to all of the family affected by this incident.
“As there is an active investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade there is no further information available at this time.”
The victims’ family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, Scotland Yard said.
Anyone with information about the fire is being urged to call the Met’s incident room on 0208 345 3985 with the reference Operation Tampere or CAD1321/06MAR.
