"A truly terrible incident"
Two women and two children have tragically died in a house fire in London.
The tragedy occurred on Thursday evening in Bexleyheath.
Six fire engines and 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at the house on Hamilton Road.
Crew with breathing apparatuses and a 9-foot ladder managed to remove all four from the house.
The crews rescued two women and two children from the first floor of the house, but they were all pronounced dead at the scene.
The children were reportedly primary-school-aged.
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The fire destroyed the entire first floor and half of the ground floor of the house.
The emergency services were called at 20.28 on November 18th. The incident was over by 21.45, London Fire Brigade confirmed.
Fire crews from Bexley, Erith, Plumstead, Lee Green, and Sidcup fire stations were in attendance.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe offered his sincere condolences after the tragic house fire, “This is a truly terrible incident which is both sad and shocking."
"Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and local community at this difficult time," he added.
A man believed to be the children's father, fled the building before the London Fire Brigade arrived. He was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan stated, "I am heartbroken to hear that two women and two children tragically lost their lives in a house fire in Bexleyheath last night."
He added, "My heart goes out to their loved ones and the local community at this awful time."
