Teenage boy dies after blaze in flat next to fire station

Crews from multiple fire stations went to the scene and the blaze was under control about 90 minutes after the first call.

Thursday 19 March 2026 16:33, UK
A teenage boy has died in a flat fire that broke out next to Old Kent Road fire station in south London.

Crews from other areas were called in as one of the engines from Old Kent Road was at another incident at the time.

Four fire engines and around 25 personnel tackled the blaze on the first floor of a six-storey building in Cooper's Road, Southwark, on Wednesday.

One teenage boy made it out before firefighters arrived and was taken to hospital, while another died at the scene, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

The first emergency call was received shortly before 3pm.

Crews from Dockhead, Dowgate, Shadwell and Whitechapel went to the scene and the blaze was under control just after 4.30pm.

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A 64m turntable ladder appliance from Old Kent Road fire station was on the scene within six minutes of the call, an LFB spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson added: "Another appliance from Old Kent Road was out at a different incident but did return to the scene of the incident later."
The cause is being investigated by the LFB and Metropolitan Police.