Luton fire: One person killed and five police officers hospitalised after tower block blaze

One police officer was badly injured after attending the scene

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One person has died and five police officers have been hospitalised after a fire at a block of high-rise flats in Luton.

Bedfordshire Police said the blaze broke out on the 14th floor of the tower block - where around 100 people live - in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The force said a man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five police officers who attended the site were taken to hospital, including one who suffered serious injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire at the Green Court block of flats.

Sharn Basra, the assistant chief constable at Bedfordshire Police, 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 Police said the officer with serious injuries remained in hospital in a statement released on Thursday afternoon. The four others taken to hospital with minor injuries and smoke inhalation had been discharged.

Another firefighter was treated by paramedics at the scene.

ACC Basra added: “I can only imagine how frightening this must have been for those living in this block of flats and I am grateful that this incident has not been even more serious.”

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to a blaze at Green Court in Luton at 4am on Thursday. It said the fire had been extinguished in a tweet around 7.45am.

“Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire using 24 firefighters with breathing apparatus,” Stuart Auger, the area commander, said. “The fire was successfully contained to the flat thanks to the efficient performance of the building’s fire protection measures and fire doors.”

Tom Shaw, a Luton councillor who is the portfolio holder for housing, said there was no sign cladding was a factor in the blaze.

He said the fire was in a “small, isolated area” of the flats in the Bedfordshire town.

“We ask people not to speculate or share images of the incident as it may cause distress to those involved,” he said.