The badly-damaged flat after the blaze on the Spa Green estate

A BLAZE which ripped through a flat and killed a dog is being treated by police as an arson attack.

The fire started on the second floor of Tunbridge House, on the Spa Green estate, early on Friday.

London Fire Brigade was called at 1am by a neighbour after smoke was seen pouring from the flat. Nine separate 999-calls were made.

Scores of residents were forced to wait outside until 3am while firefighters ensured the building was safe.

Watch manager Graham Foskett, who was at the scene, said: “When crews arrived, smoke was coming from one of the windows and three people were unable to leave their flats.

“Crews stopped the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced entry into a neighbouring flat to lead two women, who were on their balcony, to safety.”

The London Fire Brigade was called at 1am, early on Friday, after smoke was seen pouring from the second-floor Tunbridge House flat

Firefighters rescued a dog from the flat and gave it oxygen, but another died in the blaze.

Two people from the flat where the fire started left the building before the fire brigade arrived.

Police arrested a woman on suspicion of arson.

A LFB spokeswoman warned tenants of flats: “If there is a fire elsewhere in the building but not inside your home you’re usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.

“Flats and maisonettes are built to give you some protection from fire – a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 60. Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a time.

“If you leave your flat you could be rushing into choking smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building.

“Living in a flat is not more dangerous than living in a house, but it’s important to know that your fire plan should be different.”
Islington Council has provided temporary accommodation for the tenants of the flat.