RESIDENTS who escaped a burning block of flats have been rehoused by Hillingdon Council.

Four fire engines were called to the fire at Newcourt, Cowley Peachey at 7.50pm on Wednesday night with seven people including one child being brought down by ladder.

A further eighth resident left the building of his own accord, and they all spent Wednesday night in a Heathrow hotel and were given food and clothing by the council.

A Council spokesperson today (Friday) said: "They have all now been rehoused by Hillingdon Homes, we do not know for how long this will be for as yet, or if they will be able to return."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and a spokesperson for Remus Management Ltd who own the block of flats declined to comment.

Hillingdon Watch Manager Khalid Siddique-Daley said; "Smoke was spreading into the residents flats and because the staircase was alight we had to rescue people via external ladders.

"The Brigade trains for incidents like this and the fact that no one was seriously injured is due to the hard work and professionalism of the firefighters at the scene."