Two window cleaners were rescued by firefighters from the fifteenth floor of a building on Blackfriars Road in Southwark after their window cleaning cradle malfunctioned. The incident occurred yesterday (October 8) at 5.22pm, when the cradle stopped working while the men were elevated.
Rescue operation details
Firefighters were called to the scene and deployed a 64-metre turntable ladder, the tallest aerial appliance in Europe, to reach the trapped pair. The ladder can extend to heights of up to twenty floors, allowing crews to access the fifteenth-floor position where the men were stuck.
The incident was stood down by 6.15pm, meaning the rescue operation concluded in under an hour. The two men were assessed by the London Ambulance Service at the scene, and no injuries were reported.
London Fire Brigade response
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Thankfully no-one was hurt and the men were rescued safely and quickly.” They added: “This is a great example of how the Brigade uses its specialist equipment to meet the challenges of London's built environment. It is vital that we continue to have the right equipment to enable us to respond effectively and keep London's communities safe.”
The rescue highlights the importance of having advanced aerial equipment in a densely built city like London, where high-rise incidents require specialised response capabilities.
Impact and next steps
The successful rescue underscores the operational readiness of the London Fire Brigade in handling emergencies involving tall structures. The men were safely brought down without injury, and the brigade confirmed the incident concluded without further complications.
