This advice and guidance for residents has been prepared by fire safety consultants who liaise regularly with the London Fire Brigade.

If you discover a fire anywhere in the building (EVACUATE):

  • Raise the alarm by shouting FIRE. Try to alert others by shouting but do not expose yourself to danger by trying to make physical contact with neighbours.
  • If you are not inside your own flat or someone else’s flat in the building, leave immediately if it is safe to do so. Try to leave the building by the most direct route that does not expose you to smoke or flame. REMEMBER – KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES. Leave the building and move to a safe distance away.
  • Call the fire brigade on 999 or 112. Keep calm and follow the operator’s instructions.

    RESIDENTS — if the fire is inside your flat (EVACUATE):
    If you are inside your flat and discover a fire

  • If the fire is behind a closed door (within your flat) do not attempt to open the door and do not attempt to tackle the fire. If the door to the room in which there is a fire is open, then close the door if it is safe to do so. Alert anyone else inside your flat and leave by the nearest exit door that leads to a safe route out of the building, closing any doors behind you. REMEMBER — KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES.
  • Remain a safe distance from the building and await the fire brigade. A safe distance from the building is a place where you will not be affected by smoke, flames or debris from a fire or where you will not obstruct the passage of other evacuees or firefighters. When the fire brigade arrives, identify yourself as a resident and co-operate with their instructions.

    RESIDENTS — If the fire is NOT inside your flat (STAY PUT):
    If the fire is in any other part of the building or grounds and you are in your flat

    ►STAY PUT in your flat unless you are directly affected by smoke or fire. Remain in your flat unless the internal parts of your flat are experiencing smoke or fire. Your home is designed to be a fire-resistant box that should offer you resistance against fire or smoke for a reasonable time during which the fire brigade will arrive and rescue you if necessary.

    If at any stage you feel in danger or unsafe, leave your flat by the nearest exit door that leads to a safe route out of the building closing any doors behind you.

  • If you are directly affected by smoke or fire, leave the building, ensuring that you alert any other people you live with and leave by the nearest exit door of your flat that leads to a route out of the building, closing it shut behind you. REMEMBER — KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTES.
  • Remain a safe distance from the building and await the fire brigade. A safe distance from the building is a place where you will not be affected by smoke, flames or debris or where you will not obstruct the passage of other evacuees or firefighters. When the fire brigade arrives, identify yourself as a resident and cooperate with their instructions.
  • If you do leave the building, DO NOT use the lifts. They are not fireproof and may leave you trapped if the fire causes a power failure.
  • DO NOT stop to collect personal belongings. Collecting personal belongings may delay your departure and carrying belongings may hinder your own and other evacuees’ escape.
  • DO NOT re-enter the building until authorised to do so. During a firefighting and rescue operation, the fire brigade will take charge of the building.

    A summary of this advice has been posted in the entrance halls of all houses on the estate.

    You should also visit the section of the London Fire Brigade website that deals with all aspects of fire safety at home by clicking here. If you do not have access to the internet, call the LFB general enquiry number, 020 8555 1200.