Fire breaks out at block of flats in Luton for the third time in three weeks

Police are investigating after a fire broke out in the ground floor stairwell of a block of flats in Luton last night (Monday).

Firefighters were called just after 5pm to a fire in The Academy in Luton - a five storey residential building - for the third time in as many weeks.

Two pumps from Luton Green watch with the aerial platform, Two pumps from Dunstable, one pump from Stopsley and the incident command unit from Leighton Buzzard were mobilised to Holly Street, in Luton.

In a post on the Luton Community Fire Station Facebook page, it says: "We were called to the serious fire which started under the stairs on the ground floor causing serious smoke logging through all 4 floors, but was contained to the stairwell.

“Small fire on ground floor stairwell of five storey residential building. Firefighters limited fire damage to the stairwell to just 5%. However, it was 90% damaged by heat and smoke.”

"All persons are safe and accounted for, the fire was extinguished quickly using two breathing apparatus and the building was ventilated using the PPV (fan).

"Police are currently on scene with fire investigators determining the cause."

Bedfordshire Police were called just before 5.15pm by the fire service.

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police said: "The building was evacuated and the fire was extinguished quickly. Officers attended the scene and an enquiry is ongoing.

"If anyone saw anything suspicious, or has information, please call 101 quoting reference 40/59678/20."