Man in his 60s dies in fire at Sidcup retirement home

Fourteen other residents were evacuated following an inferno at 4pm on Friday (September 11) that began in one of the ground floor flats.

Four residents were treated by the London Ambulance Service.

Eyewitness and resident of Bowes Close, Tom Farnie, 21, said: “Two guys had bolted up the estate to meet firemen who were on the scene.

“The next thing I knew, they had got the hose out.

"It was terrifying to watch the building empty out."

Henry Fogg, 70, of Silver Park Avenue added: “When it all kicked off there were so many emergency services: a lot of specialist ambulances turned up, a lot of police and firemen too.”


Front of retirement home at Bowes Close in Sidcup

Another eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: “It happened so quickly.

“I saw the smoke, the window had melted and had blown out.

“It was a horrible thing to see.”

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Firefighters were called to the scene at about 4pm with crews from Sidcup, Bexley and Eltham fire stations attending the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said: “Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers attended the blaze.

"Fire crews found the body of the man in the rear bedroom of Bowes Care Home.

“Firefighters in breathing apparatus led four elderly residents to a safe area inside the block.

"A further 14 people were evacuated from the building by fire crews.”

Picture: Tom Farnie

Police have confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious.

The man's next of kin have been informed.

More to follow.