Woman and two children hospitalised following Chatham fire
Emergency responders were called just after 6 o'clock on Thursday morning to Luton Road. The road has now reopened and an investigation into the cause has begun.
Transcript
00:00 This was the Medway skyline at just after six o'clock this morning.
00:04 Smoke billowing from just outside of central Chatham.
00:07 At its centre, a fire which engulfed a mixture of commercial and residential properties in the town's suburb of Luton.
00:15 Five fire engines were called to the scene, as well as a technical rescue crew and an ambulance team.
00:21 As a precaution, Luton Road was closed whilst crews rescued a woman and two children, including an 18-month-old baby.
00:29 Crews were called approximately six o'clock this morning to a fire at the car wash that you can see behind me.
00:36 On arrival, they were confronted with a well-developed fire in the rear of the car wash.
00:41 They battled really hard to gain access to the rear bottom flat and they rescued a family of three.
00:49 An 18-month-old baby, a seven-year-old boy and a 37-year-old female.
00:55 I've been informed by the ambulance service that they have responded to treatment at hospital and are all doing well.
01:03 The time now is just after 10 o'clock in the morning. Luton Road has now reopened.
01:07 But as you can see, some fire engines and emergency vehicles still remaining at the scene.
01:12 I was woken up this morning by a loud bang. It was like a thud noise.
01:15 And then when I woke up, not sure what it is, looked out the window, can't really tell what it is.
01:19 I've come out the front bit, three police cars on the side of the road, labelled up.
01:22 Two fire and search and rescue cars, vans parked up.
01:26 As soon as I've come out the front of the door and I looked, I could just see something crazy happened down there.
01:30 I'm not sure what happened, but the loud bang caught my attention.
01:34 This barbershop owner says he was initially unable to open his doors, being so close to the scene.
01:40 When you wake up, too much busy, too many car police everywhere.
01:45 I see the fire in the back side.
01:47 I say, OK, because they save it now, everyone.
01:49 Save, thanks to God, nobody, anything happened.
01:53 This is important.
01:55 These videos were uploaded to social media by nearby residents.
01:58 Smoke and flames can be seen pouring from the Premier convenience store.
02:02 Whilst the cause is yet to be determined, it is believed that the fire began at a car wash,
02:07 which later spread to the flats and shop above it.
02:10 As the investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway,
02:14 Luton watches on as the scene has remained under the care of the fire service and police
02:19 for the majority of the day.
02:21 Bartholomew Hall for CAME TV in Chatham.