Firefighters Tackle Blaze In Wimbledon House


Home was thought to be a "hoarded" property

Firefighters were called to a blaze in what was thought to be a "hoarded" property in Wimbledon, today (June 13).

A woman escaped from the property before the fire brigade arrived. She was suffering from smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

Half of the first floor and part of the roof of the house in Hardy Road were damaged by fire.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: "Hoarding presents a very serious fire risk to those living in these homes, as well as to neighbours and the firefighters who get called out to deal with fires in them.

"Fires in hoarded properties can reach flashover conditions more quickly and often burn for longer and escape routes are often blocked.

"All London firefighters are now trained to understand hoarding and work together with people with hoarding tendencies to make their homes safer. We offer free home fire safety visits to those at risk of hoarding and would urge people to get in touch so we can offer advice on staying safe from fires."

The Brigade was called at 9.47a, and the fire was brought under control at 11.31am . The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from New Malden, Wimbledon, Tooting and Mitcham fire stations were at the scene.

June 13, 2014