A man has died following a fire that broke out in a block of flats in west London.
The Met police and London Fire Brigade (LFB) are investigating the fire, which “destroyed” a flat in Kingston-upon-Thames around 8.20pm on Monday.
Firefighters were called to Elm Road in Kingston at roughly 8.20pm on Monday.
They arrived to find a two-roomed flat on the first floor of a low-rise residential block destroyed by fire.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued a man from the flat, but he was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
House fire in Elm Road, Kingston this evening, around 20:30. Several fire engines, police and ambulances in attendance. I could smell the smoke from the middle of #richmondpark, whilst cycling home, so went for a closer look to see what was going on. @localguardian… pic.twitter.com/YbiWkYRikH
— Chapona Bike (@ChaponaBike123) October 21, 2024
“Another male resident was rescued by crews from a window using a nine metre ladder, and two residents were treated on scene by paramedics,” said LFB in a statement.
“There are no reports of any further injuries. Twenty nine residents were evacuated by crews to a place of safety and received support from the local authority.”
Footage shared on X showed a large emergency response at the scene on Monday night.
One user said they “could the smoke from the middle of Richmond Park whilst cycling home”.
Firefighters spent around three hours tackling the fire, which was brought under control by around 11.20pm.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known, and is under investigation.
