A FAMILY with a baby who were trapped in their flat as it filled with smoke during a blaze in a high-rise block of flats have spoken of their terrifying ordeal.
Victor and Hanane Spence and their 14-month-old son Rasheed were in their flat on the 13th floor of the John Walsh tower block, Montague Road, Leytonstone, on April 21 when the fire started in the flat opposite.
They tried to leave a few times as smoke billowed into their home through an air vent, but were told to stay inside for their safety by firefighters.
Mrs Spence, 29, said: “I heard some people outside the flat shouting 'Run, run, there's a fire'. “We opened the door and the fireman were telling us to get back in the flat, because we would be safer in there.
“But the flat then started to fill with smoke and the place was flooding with water, which made the electricity flash.
“We couldn't see a thing because the smoke was so thick. It was very frightening.”
About 40 firefighters and eight engines were sent to tackle the blaze at around 9.45pm.
A total of 50 residents were evacuated from the block as crews worked to bring the fire under control.
The family said they were in the flat for about half an hour as it filled with smoke before being rescued and led outside to safety.
Mr Spence, 37, added: “I think the firefighters thought all of the flats were sealed off from each other, so we would be safest staying in our flat. “But the smoke was billowing out in the bathroom, where there is an air vent.
“My wife and baby started to cough so I rang 999 and they radioed the people outside who were dealing with the fire.
“We stayed low and waited by the door and then they came and took us outside.”
Mrs Spence and her son were treated with oxygen by fire crews.
She said she wanted to thank one of the firefighters, who picked up Rasheed and ran out of the block with him.
The couple have so far been unable to return to their flat because of soot and water damage and they are currently staying with Mr Spence's mother Ina in Walthamstow.
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