A fire broke out in a second-floor flat of a high-rise building in Southend on the evening of Friday, 21 March, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Firefighters, paramedics, and an Incident Command Unit rushed to the scene in Baxter Avenue to tackle the blaze and assist those affected.
The incident took place at Elizabeth Tower, a residential block situated next to Catherine Lodge, which is a retirement complex.
Witnesses reported a strong smell of burning in the air as fire crews worked to contain the fire and prevent further damage.
Major emergency response
Six fire crews from Southend, Leigh, Shoeburyness, Rochford, and Rayleigh Weir stations were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters swiftly entered the flat, extinguishing the fire before it could spread beyond the kitchen area. The Ambulance Service also responded in force, sending an Operational Commander and multiple paramedics to assist.
One person was rescued from the flat and treated for smoke inhalation before being handed over to paramedics for further care.
Fire believed to have started in the kitchen
Station Manager Jason Gould provided insight into the likely cause of the fire, stating: “We believe the fire started in the kitchen. It’s really important to keep your hobs, ovens, and grills clean, as a build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.”
Gould also praised the residents for adhering to the building’s stay-put policy, which allowed firefighters to reach the flat swiftly and focus on containing the fire. “Our firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and smoke to the kitchen area, preventing damage throughout the flat,” he added.
Safety reminders for preventing kitchen fires
Following the incident, fire crews have issued a reminder on essential kitchen safety measures:
- Never use the hob or cooker as a storage area – placing items on top can lead to accidental fires.
- Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob – these can ignite if too close to heat sources.
- Regularly clean the oven, hob, and grill – built-up fat and grease can easily catch fire.
- Always double-check that the cooker is off after use to prevent accidental ignition.
You never hear the whole story or give praise to the 5 members of the public who kicked the door down, run into the burning flat and dragged the man to the front door where unfortunately he got stuck due to the hallway having a clutter of things.