Two window cleaners were rescued from the 15th storey of a central London skyscraper after their cradle malfunctioned on Thursday evening. The men had been working outside the One Blackfriars skyscraper in Southwark when they became trapped on a suspended platform, the London Fire Brigade said.
Rescue operation
Firefighters were called to the scene at 5.22pm and a 64m turntable ladder was sent to bring the pair down to safety within 45 minutes. Photographs from the scene showed the yellow structure extending out of a fire engine to reach the men. The incident was "under control" by 6.15pm, the fire service said.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: "Thankfully no-one was hurt and the men were rescued safely and quickly."
Specialist equipment
The spokesperson added: "This is a great example of how the Brigade uses its specialist equipment to meet the challenges of London’s built environment. It is vital that we continue to have the right equipment to enable us to respond effectively and keep London’s communities safe."
The ladder used in the rescue is the tallest aerial appliance in Europe and is able to reach heights of up to 20 floors. The One Blackfriars by Berkeley building is a mixed-use development, which sits at around 558 feet tall and overlooks the River Thames.
Brigade headquarters move
The London Fire Brigade this week revealed it will return to its historic headquarters on Albert Embankment. The brigade, which has been based on Union Street in Southwark since 2007, will go back to the Albert Embankment after receiving planning permission from Lambeth Council.
The building, which was initially opened in the 1930s, houses the existing Lambeth fire station on the ground floor but the site will be refurbished and modernised to also include offices for the brigade.
LFB commissioner Jonathan Smith said: "This building is part of the culture of the organisation and I know it holds special significance across our workforce. Refurbishing and modernising an existing building offers the best value for Londoners and ensures we maintain an important presence in the heart of London."
