Catford house fire sparks huge inferno as woman scrambles to roof to escape blaze

A fire ripped through the upper part of a house, sparking a massive emergency response with 60 firefighters tackling the dangerous blaze. One person sustained serious injuries

A hero firefighter saved a woman who slipped and almost fell from the roof of a house inferno. Three people were taken to hospital, one with serious injuries, after the blaze engulfed a property on Saturday.

The fire service took 20 emergency calls and raced to the scene to find the upper part of the house ablaze. The inferno was so intense that one woman clambered onto the roof to escape.

A firefighter averted tragedy when he stopped her falling as she slipped. Photos from the scene in South London show a massive emergency response with fire engines and ambulances lining the street.

It was confirmed that eight fire engines and 60 firefighters tackled the fire in Catford from around 7.30am on December 14. London Fire Brigade is still investigating the cause of the inferno.

Station Commander Mike Watts, who was at the scene said: “Firefighters rescued a woman who had escaped onto the roof of the property. She had begun to slip from the pitched roof of the property and was prevented from falling by a firefighter on a ladder.

"A second ladder was erected by firefighters to assist bringing the firefighter and the woman safely down. The woman has been taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

"Two further people who were inside the property at the time of the fire have also been taken to hospital; one of whom is believed to have sustained serious injuries.

"Firefighters remain on the scene damping down and our fire investigation unit is also on scene in order to determine the cause of this fire. We advise people to avoid the area whilst the incident remains ongoing.”

The fire, which destroyed the first floor and the loft conversion, was under control by 9:40am, reports MyLondon.