Luton flats fire: Man dead and police officer in hospital after blaze

Emergency services were called to a 15-storey tower block in Luton

One person has died and a police officer is in hospital following a fire at a block of high-rise flats.

The blaze broke out at about 04:00 BST in Green Court in Hockwell Ring, Luton.

Bedfordshire Police said a man in his 50s died at the scene and five officers who responded to the call were taken to hospital, while a firefighter was treated by paramedics.

A spokesman said all the occupants of the flats had been accounted for.

The police officer with serious wounds remained in hospital, the force said, while the others were treated for "minor injuries and smoke inhalation" and discharged.

Residents from all the other 97 flats in the 15-storey tower block were evacuated and supported at various locations nearby.

Police said about 100 people were evacuated from the building.

The 13th and 14th floors remain "closed off" but those living between the ground floor and 12th floor have been allowed back to their homes, the force said.

About 100 people were evacuated from the tower block and were being supported at locations nearby

Bedfordshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Sharn Basra, said: "All three emergency services attended. Unfortunately we were faced with one fatality.

"That individual has yet to be identified and our thoughts are with his family."

A number of emergency service support units are at the site

The tower block is in the Hockwell Ring area of Luton

He said: "It is always sad when someone loses their life in a tragedy like this and my thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who sadly passed away.

"This is also a stark reminder of the huge dangers the emergency services face every day.

"I want to thank everyone for their bravery and dedication in responding to this incident, in which one of our officers has been particularly badly injured."

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service sent 10 appliances to the scene.

Area Commander Stuart Auger, said: "We utilised smoke hoods for five members of the public that were on the affected floor to assist them getting out through the smoke.

"The fire was successfully contained to the flat thanks to the efficient performance of the building's fire protection measures and fire doors."

Forensic officers were seen working on scaffolding close to the ground floor of the tower block

Labour's Tom Shaw, Luton Council's portfolio holder for housing, said: "Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this terrible incident... and our thanks go to the first responders who worked to quickly extinguish the fire in a small, isolated area of the flats.

"There is no indication that cladding was in any way a factor."

Residents would be allowed home as soon as it was safe for them to do so, police said.

An investigation into the cause is under way, although police said they believed it was an isolated incident.