Shock at flat fire death (From Haringey Independent)

Shock at flat fire death in Wood Green

11:33am Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

The landlord and neighbours of a man who died in a flat fire above a betting shop last night have spoken of their shock.

Fire crews were called to the second floor flat above Ladbrokes, in High Road, Wood Green, just after 7.30pm yesterday.

The blaze destroyed the flat and firefighters found the body of the man at the scene.

Landlord Sotiris Liasi was called about the fire last night but only found out about the death this morning.

He said: “It is truly awful, I am in total shock. It is such a horrible thing to happen. I think everyone who lives here is saddened by it. It’s just so sad.

“I got a call from some of the other tenants that there was a fire and when I arrived we were just told to keep back. There were so many fire engines and police cars about.”

The man has not been formally identified and the Fire Brigade are still investigating the cause of the blaze. Police have cordoned off the pavement outside the betting shop.

Couple Lee Anthony, 28, and Megan Anthony, 27, moved into a neighbouring flat three months ago.

Mr Anthony said: “We heard one of the neighbours shouting ‘there’s a fire, there’s a fire’. I stuck my head out the window and saw the smoke.

“We just grabbed a few important things and got out as quick as we could. It was so scary.

“When we were outside with everyone else within minutes the whole street was black with smoke.”

Six engines and 35 firefighters attended the blaze, which was under control by 9.18pm.