A fire has torn through a south London tower block, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky and prompting a major emergency response.
The London Fire Brigade despatched ten fire engines and 70 firefighters to bring the blaze in Southwark under control.
Crews from Dowgate, Dockhead, Soho, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations were rushed to the scene.
The fire broke out on the 11th floor of Brawne House on Hillingdon Street in Walworth, near Oval. The cause is not yet known.
The LFB warned residents in the area to keep their doors and windows closed as smoke billowed out from the 17-storey building.
Officers confirmed a woman left the property before the LFB arrived at around 2pm.
The flat fire in #Walworth is now under control, but we will remain on scene this afternoon damping down https://t.co/DWBUNh0V2I pic.twitter.com/R50w8wl7g5
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) July 11, 2025
Three people were treated by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and one woman was taken to hospital. Everyone else in the area is accounted for.
Firefighters managed to get the flames under control by around 3pm on Friday. However, parts of the building were visibly damaged by the fire.
A resident of a nearby block said: “There was black smoke pouring out from the top floors, and we saw people waving for help from windows.”
Another added: “The fire spread fast. Firefighters were running in with hoses and shouting to get people out. There was debris falling from the balconies.”
The LFB received more than 40 calls about the blaze, which could be seen across the capital.
Station Commander Tony Perks, who was at the scene, said: "This was a very visible fire, and the area became increasingly busy as a result.
We saw people waving for help from windows
"People are advised to continue to avoid the area at this time, while crews damp down remaining hot spots."
A LAS spokesman said: “We were called at 1.58pm to reports of a fire on Hillingdon Street, SE17.
“We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and a clinical team manager. We also dispatched paramedics from our hazardous area response team (HART).
“Our first paramedics arrived in less than five minutes. We treated a woman and took her to a local hospital. We assessed three other people and discharged them at the scene.”
Situated to the east of Kennington Park, Brawne House is part of the Brandon Estate which was built in 1958 by the London County Council to designs by Edward Hollamby.
Brawne House is made of a textured mix of bush-hammered and precast concrete, with flats valued at nearly £300,000.
