West Hampstead flats fire: 100 firefighters tackle blaze

About 100 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a five-storey block of flats in north-west London.

London Fire Brigade was called to the fire on the top floor of Welbeck Mansions on Inglewood Road, West Hampstead, at about 01:00 BST.

About 50 people were evacuated from the block, and two people were helped out by firefighters.

The service says the fire is now under control, with 15 engines still at the scene.

London Ambulance Service sent crews, but has not taken any patients to hospital.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Station manager Clainton Murray said the fire was thought to have started in a flat on the fourth floor.

"The flat was severely damaged by fire and a large part of the roof was also destroyed," he said.

Due to fears that the roof could collapse, firefighters evacuated residents from the top floor and helped two people escape from the first floor.

A number of other residents self-evacuated from lower floors, Mr Murray said.

"Firefighters have carried out salvage operations to save, where possible, residents' possessions from water damage," he added.

"In the early stages, the fire was very visible and could be seen for miles around."

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said no injuries have been reported.

Angelica Malin lives near the flats and could see the blaze from her bedroom window.

"I can see firefighters inside as the roof is on fire and there's two men on cranes working on putting the roof fire out," she said.

"It's so scary - my flat is filled with the smell of smoke. The firemen have been amazing and I feel comforted by the incredible response."

It's quiet now here on the street - there's the police, the fire brigade, and a tiny bit of smoke - you can smell it in the air.

The fire brigade is dousing the roof of the building as it's still smoking.

The top of the building is completely gutted.

Many residents are eating biscuits and sandwiches, drinking coffee and consoling each other at the Black Lion pub, which opened its doors to everyone affected.

I chatted to ground-floor resident Irene Bradshaw as she sat on a bench in the street in her night clothes.

She said residents think they may be allowed to go back in soon and pick up "some essential things".