An investigation is under way after firefighters rescued a man from a 13th floor blaze in a tower block in Brighton.
The man was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital. His condition is not known.
This morning (Sunday 21 February) an investigation was due to begin into the cause of the fire at Essex Place – a 17-storey block of about 120 flats in Montague Street, Kemp Town.
Ten fire engines turned out at the height of the incident.
The fire service said yesterday: “Four fire engines were initially mobilised to the fire on the 13th floor of the property in Montague Street at 5.14pm after several calls were received.
“By 6.40pm this had increased to ten fire engines.
“Crews in attendance are Preston Circus, Roedean, Hove, Newhaven, Seaford, Barcombe, Hailsham and Haywards Heath along with the aerial ladder platform from Preston Circus, the control unit from Lewes and four officers.
“Firefighters are using main jets and breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.
“As of 8.50pm three fire engines remain at the scene.
“A level 2 Investigation to establish the cause of the fire will begin tomorrow.
“The area has been left under the control of Sussex Police.”
These high tower blocks should never have been built neither should others get planning permission. Risking lives.
How long did it take the firefighters to get past the steel doors to the two burned out flats?
I doubt if it was less than 15 minutes minimum from first axe swing.
Those overspecified doors may have caused the initial fire to spread to the second flat before they could enter to deal with it/rescue the poor individual now in critical condition – I would speculate.
How high did the turntable get? Anywhere near the 13th floor?
The Fort Knox door replacement programme has been expensive. The police regularly destroy them to gain emergency access (and not just because of crime). Each door cost £800. Hundreds damaged or destroyed now since installation from 2008/9.
Oh Valerie.
There was only one flat affected by fire. The other is smoke damage. The doors to the flat saved it from spreading. All you seem concerned about is the cost of the doors. Let’s hope your never in the unfortunate position of having a fire in your block! Not nice to have to go through. Have you not enough to moan about at your block at the moment to keep you busy and not star on other blocks. The poor man is in a critical condition for your information. That is what we are worried about. Not the cost of a door!
Your comment is malicious and ignores the content of my own comment which worried about whether the door delayed getting help to the poor man. Another article reported that two flats were destroyed. My remaining comment just explained more about why the doors are so unusual. Yours applauds the doors that may have cost Chris Cooke his life.
Your comment is slander.