The Metropolitan Police has released body-worn video footage of the moment officers kicked down the door of a burning building to rescue people inside.
About 160 people were evacuated from Emperor’s Gate, in South Kensington, west London, after the fire spread from a ground-floor flat just after midnight on Friday, 1 March.
After getting through the front door, officers then gained access to six flats to rescue those inside. Fifteen fire engines and about 100 firefighters also attended the scene, rescuing those still trapped.
Supt Jill Horsfall, one of the senior officers responsible for policing Kensington & Chelsea, said: “The bravery and professionalism of the Met officers who responded so rapidly to this terrifying fire shows the very best of policing.”
A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody.
