An Orpington couple had a lucky escape after a neighbour rushed to tell them their roof was ablaze last night (November 16).

Scaffolder Tony Hartnoll, 58, was walking to the shop when he noticed the roof of the flat above Cut Price Cartridges on Chislehurst Road had caught fire at around 8pm.

Mr Hartnoll, of Elmcroft Road, knocked on the door to alert the couple, who managed to escape their flat and call the fire brigade.

Four fire engines and around 20 officers arrived to tackle the flames.

Officers from Sidcup, Orpington and Bromley fire stations brought the fire under control at around 9.30pm.

Mr Hartnoll’s wife Anita, 52, told News Shopper: “If Tony hadn’t knocked on their door, another five minutes could have made all the difference. It was very scary.

“The residents didn’t know that the place was on fire. There was panic. He’s usually a very quiet and shy person. He’s a hero to me.

“It’s awful for something like that to happen to someone just before Christmas. We’re just relieved the couple are OK.”

 

News Shopper:

Anita Hartnoll with her husband Tony, who alerted the couple to the roof fire

Chandra Sharma, who has owned Cut Price Cartridges for nine years, thanked Mr Hartnoll for his quick thinking.

The 53-year-old said: “I am really grateful for his help. Our main concern is for the residents, who got out safely.

“They are fine but obviously shaken.”

Mr Sharma said he hoped to re-open his store in a few days.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said an electrical fault is believed to have caused the fire, which damaged the roof of the property.