A 999 emergency control officer helped a family of seven escape from a suspected arson attack in Brent on Sunday (January 18) morning.

The three adults and four children were trapped in their home in Beames Road, Stonebridge when the fire started at around 6.30am. They were unable to leave the property because the hallway was ablaze and instead received vital fire survival guidance over the phone by the Brigade’s 999 control officers.

Just as firefighters arrived at the scene, three neighbours helped six members of the family out to safety from the rear of the property, while one adult leapt from a first floor window.

In total, ambulance crew attending the scene helped 11 people suffering the effects of smoke inhalation and 10 were taken to hospital, where they have since been discharged.
Later, firefighters praised the efforts of neighbours who helped rescued the family but urged people not to put themselves at risk.

Crews from Park Royal, Wembley, North Kensington and Willesden attended the scene and had the fire under control by 8am. The family were alerted to the blaze when their smoke alarm went off.

Watch manager Helen Christmas helped tackle the fire and said: “It just goes to show the importance of having a smoke alarm. They alert you to fire and can also buy you vital seconds to escape from one."

Police are investigating the suspected arson but are yet to make any arrests.
On Thursday (Jan 15) a man in his 60s died in a blaze that broke out in a ground floor flat in Brentford . Anyone with information on the house fire can call Brent CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on  0800 555 111 .