Brixton residents have described smelling “burning plastic” moments before a woman died in a house fire.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters rushed to the house Railton Road, South London, in the early hours of Monday morning (January 24).
Fire crews managed to rescue the woman on the first floor, however despite their best efforts she died at the scene. Two men escaped the property unharmed.
One resident, who asked not to be named, told MyLondon she noticed a “weird smell” like burning plastic at around 3am.
“First I thought it was really strange so I came outside at about half 3 or 4 and I could see the smoke the flames going up,” she said.
A woman has died in a house fire in Brixton
(Image: MyLondon)
READ MORE: Live updates after woman dies in house fire with two men fleeing burning building
“Within 10 minutes the first fire truck came and then with another two so there were three fires tricks here but within 20 minutes I think it stopped the fumes stopped.
“Even though the windows were shut you could smell it in the house nevertheless.”
Half of the first floor of a two-storey house was completely destroyed by the fire.
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The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called at 4.08am and the fire was under control by 5.03am.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and a cordon is expected to remain at the scene until “at least tomorrow”, according to a local café owner.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the woman’s next of kin have been informed.
A spokesperson said the cause of the fire is unknown and is subject to an investigation by the Met and LFB.
The investigation will look into the cause and will form part of the Coroner’s inquest.
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https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/brixton-fire-neighbours-smelled-burning-22853411
