Firefighters Thanked for 'Tremendous Work' Battling Tower Block Blaze

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While Local MP Andy Slaughter praises residents' great courage and calm'

There has been praise from across the community for London Fire Brigade and other emergency services following the fire which tore through Shepherd's Court tower block on the Charecroft Estate to the south of Shepherd's Bush Green on Friday August 19.

The fire spread to five floors of the 18 storey building, affecting flats on the seventh to eleventh floors, and it took 120 firefighters from ten surrounding fire stations almost two hours to get the blaze under control at 5.32pm on Friday afternoon.

50 people had to be evacuated from their homes but no one was seriously injured and London Ambulance said only two people required treatment at the scene.

Praise for the fire crews' actions was led by Station Manager Paul Hobbs, who was at the scene. He said: "The fire spread from the seventh floor via the outside of the building. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used jets to extinguish the fire on each floor of the building. They worked quickly in difficult conditions to tackle the fire."

Residents of the estate and other local people joined him by sending messages of thanks on Twitter.

During the fire, Rémi Lefèvre tweeted @RMLFVR: "So proud of the @LondonFire firemen now battling this. I hope nobody's hurt. :-( ."

Afterwards Chantal Froelich tweeted @channyfro: "@LondonFire can't thank you guys enough for putting out our fire so quickly! It could have been way worse!! Respect to all of you! #grateful"

Juliet R joined her, tweeting @musogirl8:"fantastic response from LFB and all emerg services-I was in the area when this happened. "

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter added his praise, tweeting @hammersmithandy: "All emergency services brilliant esp @LondonFire last night & Shepherds Court residents showed great courage & calm."

Hammersmith and Fulham Council tweeted @lbhf: "Such tremendous work from @LondonFire and other emergency services last night. Huge thanks to them and all who helped."

The council said on Friday: "We're working with @LondonFire after today's fire in #shepherdsbush Rest areas and housing are being arranged for those affected."

On Saturday, it added: " Following last night's fire, some residents have been placed in local hotels by H&F. Thankfully there were no serious injuries."

And, confirming that non-damaged parts of the building were already back in use, the council tweeted: " H&F will continue to work with residents in the days ahead. Anyone with questions or concerns can call 020 8748 8588."

Also on Saturday, Charecroft TRA tweeted ‏@Charecroft: " Clean up has started. Residents/leaseholders with questions should contact @LBHF staff on site or call council's duty officer.

"All residents home or in emergency accommodation nearby. Thanks to all who helped - LFB, LAS, Met, LBHF & residents #shepherdsbushfire."

A surgery will be held for Shepherd's Court residents from 9am till 1pm on Monday to Friday in Charecroft to discuss all matters related to the fire.

 

August 21, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

August 19, 2016