Three people have been killed after a deadly blaze swept through a Croydon home, police have confirmed.
The London Fire Brigade and other emergency services rushed to the scene on Sanderstead Road just after 11pm last night after receiving reports of a fire.
Two men died at the scene due to the intense smoke and flames, despite best efforts from emergency services to save them.
A third man, believed to be in his 30s, was rushed to hospital but sadly died on Saturday afternoon.
Officers are now working to identify the three men and inform their family.
Two other men took themselves to hospital following the incident. The fourth man is in a life-threatening condition and the fifth man has been discharged.
The property, believed to be occupied by Polish nationals who are said to be squatters, was engulfed in flames, requiring six fire engines and an aerial ladder.
A devastating house fire in Croydon has reportedly led to several fatalities last night
The London Fire Brigade and other emergency services rushed to the scene on Sanderstead Road just after 11pm last night
The blaze was spotted by concerned neighbours who alerted the authorities after noticing a fire erupting from a boarded-up building.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police. The Met’s enquiries are led by detectives from the Met’s South Area CID.
Crime scene tents were erected around the property and the area remains cordoned off
The house on Sanderstead Road is seen the next morning after the fire
Police attend the scene this morning after the fire erupted last night
Emergency services performed CPR and chest compressions in a desperate attempt to save the lives of those caught up in the fire.
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, with the reason behind the fire currently a mystery.
Two people died at the scene and a third later died in hospital. Two others took themselves to Croydon hospital where one is fighting for his life.
Chief Inspector Imran Asghar of the South Area BCU said: ‘This is an extremely sad incident, which has led to the deaths of three men, while a fourth man remains in hospital in a critical condition.
‘My colleagues have made significant progress towards confirming the identities of the men and providing support to their families. This process is ongoing. At this stage, I understand that the three men who have died were Polish nationals, as are the other two men who attended hospital.
‘Enquiries by specialist police and fire investigators are under way to establish the cause of the fire. Anyone with information that may assist is asked to call police on 101, ref 7129/29DEC23.’
Crime scene tents were erected around the property and the area remains cordoned off while investigations by police and the London Fire Brigade are ongoing.
Ambulances were in attendance and two people were killed
The blaze was spotted by concerned neighbours who alerted the authorities
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire
A spokesperson for the Met Police previously said: ‘Police were called by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at 22:48hrs on Friday, 29 December to a house fire in Sanderstead Road, South Croydon.
‘Officers attended along with LFB and the London Ambulance Service.
‘Two men – no further details – were sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are working to inform their next of kin.
‘A third man was taken to hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition.
‘A fourth and fifth man later self-presented at hospital. One of the men is in a life-threatening condition and the other has since been discharged.
‘The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police.’