Fire breaks out at multi-million pound block of flats in Belgravia
About 80 firefighters are tackling the blaze.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dozens of firefighters are battling a blaze at a block of multi-million pound flats in Belgravia, central London.
The fire broke out in the roof of the four-storey block on Eaton Place at about 11.40am on Thursday and white smoke could be seen billowing from the building.
A “significant” part of the roof and a flat on the fourth floor is alight, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.
About 80 firefighters and 12 fire engines are at the scene, with the fire service having received 26 calls to alert them to the blaze.
Theo Coen, 18, who lives in the road, said he woke up at 11.30am to the sound of “crackling”.
He added: “My mum says there’s a fire and we leave the place and we just see that the fire is going round. It’s not too long until the police come, the firemen, ambulances.”
A statement from LFB said: “Residents in the area are advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke and advised to avoid the area as there are road closures in place.
“Fire crews from Clapham, Dowgate, Soho, Hammersmith and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Homes on Eaton Place fetch more than £2.8 million on average.