Eight in hospital after two more blazes

EIGHT people were taken to hospital and dozens more evacuated yesterday as two tower blocks burst into flames on the first anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy.

Residents told of their fear of suffering the same fate as the Grenfell victims after the separate dramas at opposite ends of the country.

In Lewisham, south-east London, evacuees at 20-storey Roma Corte complained that they had not heard a fire alarm after the blaze broke out.

They said they first became aware of the danger after hearing passers-by shouting warnings after the flames were spotted at about 4am.

Alix Mabon, 25, said: “The first thought that came into my head was, ‘Oh my God, we’re going to be the next Grenfell.’” Christoph Mayr, 32, said: “Everyone was pretty shocked that there were no alarms.”

London Fire Brigade said the Lewisham fire started on the 13th floor and was suppressed by a sprinkler system.

Meanwhile, eight people were treated in hospital after escaping a fire at Commercial Court, in the Gorbals district of Glasgow. Twelve fire crews, police and other emergency services raced to the building after smoke was seen coming from the 14th floor at about 8am.

Eliot Brown, 19, who was evacuated from his flat on the 13th floor, said: “I woke up and opened my eyes and saw smoke rising past the window.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the Glasgow blaze started in a kitchen.