Just forty minutes into 2017, a fire broke out at the Aeronaut pub in Acton. Police arrived at the scene to help the approximate amount of 300 people there. Many had escaped, but there were some casualties trapped in the burning building as well as six residents in the flats above the pub. The fire had engulfed most of the ground floor and most of the two floors above had been decimated.

The pub had organised an array of events for the New Year that included comedians, musicians, acrobats and a fire performer. Fortunately, all of the circus performances as part of the celebrations finished before the fire started. Musician Matt Blair who was rescued from the roof of the building tweeted “we’re fine but 2017 has already got off to a bad start. One of our favourite venues that we just played burned down. Everyone is fine.”

Acton Police Station, was evacuated as it is next to the Aeronaut and the fire was quite severe. Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters from Acton, Chiswick, Park Royal, Hammersmith, Willesden, Richmond, Wembley and North Kensington came to put out the fire as quickly as possible.

There were only 8 casualties, due to the swift efforts from the Fire Brigade and Police. Five Police Officers were taken to hospital as a result of smoke inhalation and three members of the public. Staff quickly executed evacuation plans to ensure all got out of the building safely. A Statement from the pub said “staff were devastated but feeling blessed that no one was hurt.”

The Metropolitan Police said the cause of the fire was not believed to be suspicious while the fire brigade said it was unknown.

Armaan Mittal

Hampton School