There was no delay in fire-engines reaching blaze

Dear Ed, I WOULD like to reassure Londoners that there was no delay in fire-engines reaching the blaze at Malmesbury House in Bethnal Green. The first two fire-engines arrived at the incident in less than six minutes, which is within the London-wide fire response standard

Dear Ed,

I WOULD like to reassure Londoners that there was no delay in fire-engines reaching the blaze at Malmesbury House in Bethnal Green (Galloway calls for death fire probe, East London Advertiser, February 26, and Website).

The first two fire engines arrived at the incident in less than six minutes, which is within the London Fire Brigade’s London-wide fire response standard.

Bethnal Green’s fire appliance, as reported by the Advertiser, was already responding to a another fire and—as is always the case when crews from the closest station are at another incident or carrying out community safety work—fire-engines from nearby stations were ordered to the scene.

Nobody could be angrier than I am whenever we have a fire death in London.

But let’s not suggest that our response to this fire was delayed.

Ron Dobson

London Fire Commissioner

London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority

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See also:

MP should hang head in shame after double fire tragedy, Advertiser Website Letters.