Boy, 12, dies in south London flat fire
Emergency services were called to a blaze at a block of maisonettes in Lewisham Road, Lewisham, just before midnight on Tuesday.
A boy, aged 12, died at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said.
Officers attended the scene alongside the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.
London Fire Brigade said ten fire engines and 70 firefighters were dispatched to tackle the fire.
A maisonette split between the ground and first floors was destroyed by the fire. Part of a maisonette split between the second and third floors was also damaged by the fire.
The boy's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A woman, aged 54, was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Three other people left the building before the Brigade arrived at the scene.
The fire was brought under control by 2am on Wednesday.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Firefighters said it is not believed to be suspicious at this stage.
Detective Chief Inspector Danian Reid, from the Met's local investigations team in south east London, said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.
'We continue to work alongside investigators from the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire.
'We understand the impact this will have on the community and there will be local neighbourhood officers, and other emergency services, in the area as enquiries continue."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
First sanctions targeting people-smuggling gangs take effect
The first wave of sanctions aimed at key figures in people-smuggling gangs have come into force in a bid to hit those involved in assisting illegal immigration to the UK. They target 25 individuals and entities including a small boat supplier in Asia and gang leaders based in the Balkans and North Africa. They also hit 'middlemen' putting cash through the Hawala legal money transfer system in the Middle East, which is used in payments linked to Channel crossings. Albanian Bledar Lala, leader of the Belgian operations of an organised smuggling group, and a company in China that advertised small boats for people smuggling on an online marketplace are among those sanctioned. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it was a 'landmark moment in the Government's work to tackle organised immigration crime (and) reduce irregular migration to the UK'. 'From Europe to Asia we are taking the fight to the people-smugglers who enable irregular migration, targeting them wherever they are in the world and making them pay for their actions. 'My message to the gangs who callously risk vulnerable lives for profit is this: we know who you are, and we will work with our partners around the world to hold you to account.' The measures aim to target organised crime gangs wherever they are in the world and disrupt their flow of cash, including freezing bank accounts, property and other assets, to hinder their activities. It will be illegal for UK businesses and banks to deal with anyone named on the list. The move follows legislation being introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to ramp up enforcement powers for police forces and partners to investigate and prosecute people smugglers.
BBC News
2 minutes ago
- BBC News
Jo Cox Way ride sets off for 10th time
The sister of the murdered MP Jo Cox says an annual bike ride, set up in the weeks after her death, has helped to keep her family in its 10th year, The Jo Cox Way will set off on Wednesday and see more than 100 cyclists pedal 290 miles from Yorkshire to London to remember the Batley and Spen MP, who was killed in raise money and awareness for the foundation named after the late politician, which works to tackle issues she was passionate about such as loneliness and isolation"It is heart-warming to think Jo's name is at the forefront of something so positive," said sister Kim Leadbeater, who is now MP for Spen Valley. "June and July is always an emotional time of year for us," Ms Leadbeater continued."We remember Jo's murder and that is very difficult but what keeps us going is events like the Joe Cox Way bike ride."In the face of such dreadful tragedy, people came together and showed that we do have more in common than that which divides us." Ms Cox was killed in Birstall on 16 June 2016, a week before the EU referendum had been on her way to a constituency surgery when Thomas Mair shot and stabbed the was jailed for life following the attack."Jo's murder still is unbelievable" Ms Leadbeater said."It is still very, very difficult to comprehend what happened but the amount of positive energy created under the most horrific circumstances certainly kept us going as a family." This year, riders will be wearing the purple, white and green colours of the suffragettes to celebrate the women's suffrage the 105 cyclists taking part, 58 are women - and Sam Foster is among them."I think it is a way of channelling and making sure that positive things come out of something that was so disastrous," the 58-year-old maths teacher said."It is not just about raising money, but actually being a part of it, bringing a load of us together from completely different backgrounds and we have to work together." After setting off from the Princess Mary Stadium in Cleckheaton the mixed-ability cyclists will arrive in Buxton in Derbyshire later on are set to reach London on Sunday, July Vause is taking part in the ride for the first time after watching the race set off in recent years."I cannot actually believe that we are going from Cleckheaton to London; we know it is really hilly on day one so there is not really the shock there. "I know it is going to be a challenge and you have got to really dig deep"Ms Vause, from Gomersal, said the group would support each other through the challenge."It is not a race, there is not a prize for being first so I am really looking forward to it". Ranging in ages from 21 to 79, cyclists taking part will climb a total of 13,000 feet during their oldest rider on this year's route, Kath Lyons, from Sheffield, celebrates her 80th birthday just after event. She is riding in the challenge for the fourth time."I am doing The Jo Cox Way again to remind myself what Jo stood for; it is more relevant now than when she said it. "We all have 'more in common' than we think. "I also still quite fancy the challenge; can I still do it?" Ms Leadbeater added: "For those four-and-a-half days, nothing else matters - all that matters is getting up the next hill and getting to London, raising money for charity and making friendships."That is everything that Jo was about". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Sun
2 minutes ago
- The Sun
Man in his 60s arrested on suspicion of murdering woman in her 80s in small rural village
A MAN has been arrested over the murder of a woman in her 80s in a small rural village. Police were called to a home in Westonzoyland, Somerset, yesterday morning and found a woman dead at the scene. 1 A male, in his 60s, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody in hospital. Avon and Somerset Police said its officers were first called at 9.17am to a residential address in Monmouth Close. Officers arrived at the property at approximately 9.50am where the arrest was made. The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics. Neighbourhood Inspector Jon Eamer said: "The woman's family are aware of her death and our sympathies are with them at this incredibly upsetting time. We will ensure they receive support from specially-trained officers going forward. "Detectives from our Major Crime Investigation Team are conducting extensive enquiries at the scene to establish exactly what has happened. A forensic post-mortem examination will also be carried out as part of our investigation. "We can confirm a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody at hospital. "Our enquiries are at an early stage, but we'd like to reassure everyone we do not believe there is any increased risk to members of the public. "Nevertheless, we know this tragic incident will cause concern and upset in the local community, and therefore we will ensure neighbourhood officers are available in the area to provide help and support to anyone who needs us." Witnesses, or anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote reference number 5225206357.
