Emergency services swiftly responded to a fire at the Royal Free Hospital’s recreation building in Hampstead on 18 December 2024. Around eight fire engines and 60 firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out shortly after 11:15 am.
Quick Response and Safe Evacuation
Crews from Kentish Town, West Hampstead, Paddington, and other nearby fire stations were deployed to the scene. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) control officers acted quickly after receiving the first call, and upon arrival, firefighters discovered a fire in the roof of the recreation building.
The LFB shared updates on X (formerly Twitter), stating,
“The fire is in the building’s roof, and one of the Brigade’s 32m ladders has been deployed to the scene.”
Fifteen people safely evacuated the building before emergency services arrived, and no injuries were reported.
Extent of the Damage
According to the LFB, part of a studio on the first floor and half of the building’s external fascia were damaged by the fire. Crews brought the blaze under control just before 1:00 pm but remained on-site for further operations to ensure the area was safe.
Ambulance and Hospital Responses
The London Ambulance Service sent multiple resources to the scene, including ambulance crews and an incident response officer, arriving within six minutes. A spokesperson noted:
“Our crews assisted our emergency services partners at the scene but were later stood down.”
The Royal Free Hospital expressed gratitude on social media, saying:
“We would like to thank @LondonFire for their quick response in attending a fire at the Rec Club, near the Royal Free Hospital, this morning. The fire has been dealt with and the incident stood down.”
Cause of the Fire
Following an investigation, the LFB stated that the fire was accidental, caused by “hot works on the roof of the ground floor.”
Thanks to the swift and coordinated response of the London Fire Brigade and other emergency services, the fire was contained, and no injuries were reported. This incident underscores the vital role of emergency services in managing unexpected crises and protecting public safety.
