Young woman dies in mansion block fire
Families escape through windows during 2am blaze in Hampstead
A YOUNG woman was killed in a devastating fire which swept through a mansion block in Hampstead in the early hours today.
Families woken by screams fled as flames tore through the four-storey building in Daleham Gardens just before 2am. More than 60 firemen spent three hours battling the blaze. A woman said to be in her twenties died at the scene after being found unconscious in an upstairs room.
Tanya Ley said she was woken by a fire alarm as her two grandchildren, Daniel and Bobby, eight and 12, slept in the next room. Mrs Ley, 46, said: “My fire alarm went off and I ran to get the kids. There were flames coming out of the ground floor. I jumped out of the window with the kids. I thought we were going to die. I shouted for every- one to get out. Most people managed, but one poor woman died. She had only just moved in. I am devastated I couldn’t get her out too. I’m no hero, I did my best. I can’t get rid of the images of the shooting flames.”
Her daughter Charlotte Donoghue, 27, said: “She heard the fire alarm outside her door, ran out of her room and saw flames. She phoned me and as she was on the phone she was screaming, ‘Fire, fire’ to try to alert everybody. It was horrific to hear. I thought her and my boys were going to die.”
Retired teacher Aura Romero, 72, who has lived in her flat for more than 40 years, fled barefoot after being woken by a neighbour. Ms Romero, originally from Colombia, said: “Someone knocked on my door and said, ‘Come out! Come out!’ I saw the fire, the house was burning so badly.
“I was able to get dressed but there was no time for shoes, I was walking around in the street in my socks until a gentleman gave me a coat. I cannot cry or do anything. I don’t know where I’m going to live.”
Resident Sophie Rodriguez said: “I saw a mother with a baby trying to get out — it was horrible. We have all lost absolutely everything, it’s a night- mare.” Natalie Owers, 25, said: “The fire ripped through the building and we were lucky to get out alive. From top to bottom, the place is gutted. The roof is simply not there any more.”
Parish vicar Andy Keighley, of the Holy Trinity Church on Finchley Road, visited the scene and said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the woman who died.” The evacuated residents have been put into hotels or are staying with friends.
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the fire was brought under control at 4.52am. An investigation will be launched into the cause.