Covent Garden fire: Four rescued as almost 100 firefighters battle blaze in London's West End

Firefighters at the scene in Covent Garden
@iamBernieBrown/Twitter

Four people were rescued as almost 100 firefighters battled a blaze in the heart of London's West End.

A total of 12 fire engines were sent to the scene in Long Acre, Covent Garden, at about 1pm on Saturday, the London Fire Brigade said.

Dramatic pictures emerged on social media of huge crowds gathered near the scene, as plumes of smoke billowed into the sky and a large swathe of the area was cordoned off.

Witnesses reported seeing smoke "everywhere" after the fire broke out on the roof of a flat above a shop, while there was reportedly panic among hundreds of tourists who feared the incident may be a terrorist attack.

Witness Bernie Brown told the Standard: "I started smelling a strong burning smell coming into the shop, what must be 15 or 20 minutes later three or 4 fire engines arrived.

"They identified that it was a top floor flat on long acre that was alight and raised the extendable ladders breaking the windows.

"Within minutes there were around 10 fire trucks on the scene, cordoned off the road with police and paramedics soon after.

"I'm not sure if anyone was inside however you could see people waving from the window next to the fire which being five stories or so up must have been extremely scary."

Four people had to rescued by fire crews wearing breathing apparatus and a woman who left the building before emergency services arrived was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

Emily-Jane Tossell tweeted: "Fire in Covent Garden. Hope everyone's ok the smoke was everywhere!"

Fran Perrow added: "Covent Garden smelling of smoke. Officers saying a pub is affected."

Station Manager Gareth Cook, who was at the scene, said: "The fire started in a flat on the top floor of the building. Crews worked hard to contain the fire and stop it spreading to an adjacent flat."

A London Fire Brigade spokesman added: "Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters and officers dealt with a fire in a flat above a shop on Long Acre in Covent Garden.

"Most of the flat on the fourth floor, and part of its mansard roof, were damaged by the fire. One woman left the building before the Brigade arrived. She was treated for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service.

"Four other people were rescued from the building by fire crews wearing breathing apparatus.

"The Brigade was called at 12.56pm and it was under control by 4.13pm.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation."

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