A man has recalled the terrifying moment he saw 'trapped people trying to escape' a raging fire in Wood Green that forced a number of evacuations. The fire required 80 firefighters across 12 engines after the Wood Green buildings, used as a restaurant and homes, went up in flames at around 9.25pm last night (Monday, July 7).
Rescue and evacuation details
Nine people wore breathing gear as they were led to safety, while six were saved from a flat roof via a ladder. Two people were rushed to hospital. The London Fire Brigade responded swiftly to the incident.
Witness accounts
A 28-year-old man who lives in the affected building said: 'I was on the terrace with a friend when we smelt the smoke and heard people screaming.' He added: 'Shortly after we were evacuated from the building at about 1am. I took my passport, papers, and my cat. The fire brigade came very quickly and extinguished it.'
The builder also described the harrowing moment he saw panicking people trying to escape. He said: 'They were trying to get out from this side because over there the fire was blocking the exit. I wasn't scared, but I was very worried for my neighbours. There was panic that the fire might spread. Once we were evacuated we were back inside after four hours.'
Impact on residents
Married couple Leiia Zerrouki, 47, and Mohammed Yusuf, 33, were out when they learned of the blaze. 'I felt like I was dead,' Leiia said, not knowing whether their home had burned down. 'I fell down as I couldn't believe what had happened, it was very very bad. I then ran home.'
Mechanic Mohammed said: 'I thought my house burned down. It was scary, terrifying.' He was horrified to learn that neighbours couldn't hear an alarm. 'I was told my neighbours were sleeping and someone had to knock loudly two or three times. If the fire was bigger it could have been bad.'
Neighbour's experience
A 45-year-old woman who lives next to Mohammed and Leiia said someone banged on her door loudly and she saw 'a lot' of smoke. 'Firemen told me to get out, so I got out immediately. I saw all this smoke and could smell it, it was very scary.' She added that she was taken across the road and not fully evacuated.
The cause of the fire was recorded as undetermined.
