Pimlico residents evacuated after stray firework causes fire in exclusive apartment block

 
Badly damaged: the flat in St George's Square, Pimlico (Picture: London Fire Brigade)
Alexandra Rucki|Matt Watts11 November 2014

A £750,000 flat in an exclusive central London square was gutted when a stray firework flew through a window and set it on fire.

No one was in the third storey flat of the building in St George’s Square in Pimlico when the rocket hit it at 8pm on Sunday night.

Twelve people living on the other floors were able to leave the building before the fire brigade arrived.

Fire investigators do not believe anyone deliberately targeted the flat, but witnesses reported hearing fireworks exploding “within inches of their windows” moments before the blaze began.

An investment banker who lives next door, said: “There was a massive explosion. It was within inches of a window. I thought ‘that’s a bit close for comfort’.

“There were a few more explosions and then the fire alarm went off. That must have been when the fire started in the building next door.”

Upmarket flats: a stray firework hit the window of a third floor flat in St Georges Square, Pimlico

Flammable material by the window caught fire and spread causing extensive damage to the flat, with images showing blacked out windows, burned furniture and flame-scorched chairs.

Members of the public waiting at a nearby bus stop called 999 after spotting the fire raging inside the flat.

Tourist Steve Sinclair, 65, a retired financial adviser who was staying nearby, said: “They could see the fire glowing red and saw smoke and raised the alarm.”

Firefighters smashed through the front door to the communal hallway and in to the flat to put out the flames.

A cherry-picker was also used for firefighters to reach the third-floor window to help fight the fire.

Natalie Lavelle, 25, a recent graduate from London School of Economics, said: “There was a lot of activity but the firefighters had it under control quickly. I just feel sorry for whoever owns the flat as they will have lost a lot of possessions they loved.”

Lambeth Watch Manager Javan Day, who was at the scene, said: “Bonfire Night celebrations may have ended now but if you are tempted to use any fireworks you might have left over make sure you follow the firework safety code to minimise the risk of having a fire or being injured.

“If you live in a flat it’s also a good idea to make sure you don’t store anything flammable on your balcony or by windows as this could ignite and cause a fire if hit by a stray firework.”

St Georges Square was built in 1836 for the Marquess of Westminster, with a three-bed maisonette located in the building recently selling for £2,450,000.

Previous notable residents include Dracula author Bram Stoker and writer Stephen Potter.

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