Firefighters have issued a stark warning as the weather gets colder after five people were taken to hospital following a blaze at a block of flats.

Fifteen people were evacuated from a burning building in North Kensington in the early hours of Monday morning (November 13).

Four fire engines and around 21 firefighters and officers rushed to the scene in Sunbeam Crescent after a call at 1.18am.

Five people left the building via an internal staircase before the brigade arrived.

They were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service before being taken to hospital.

The fire damaged half of a three-roomed flat on the first floor of a three-storey block.

It took the brigade less than an hour to tackle the blaze. The fire was under control by 2am, thanks to firefighters and officers from North Kensington and Hammersmith fire stations.

15 people were evacuated and five hospitalised after the flat fire

Firefighters believe the blaze was caused by a portable heater being left on overnight, and say the flat involved had no working smoke alarms so the fire was able to develop for some time.

London Fire Brigade is now reminding homeowners to take extra care with portable heaters in this cold weather.

A spokesperson for the brigade said: "Always unplug unused heaters and other electrical items and don’t leave them on overnight.

"It’s also crucial to have working smoke alarms in your home. Never leave it to chance that you will discover a fire.

“Everyone should have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of their home and test them regularly. This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home.”

London Fire Brigade’s advice for portable heaters

  • Secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over, or fit wall-mounted heaters
  • Keep heaters away from clothes, curtains and furniture
  • Sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair, especially if you fall asleep
  • Always turn off your heater and allow it to cool before moving it

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