Police and fire officers are investigating a fire that badly damaged a café and delicatessen at 140 Shepherds Bush Road. The fire started on Sunday evening and was brought under control by twenty firefighters from Hammersmith and Kensington fire stations two hours later, at 23:00. Six occupants from the flats above the delicatessen Sutherlands had to be evacuated and several needed treatment for minor smoke inhalation.

One man escaped safely from the three-storey building and a couple in their twenties were rescued uninjured from a first floor ledge by firefighters. There were no smoke alarms fitted in the flat. Three people in a neighbouring flat were also led to safety by firefighters after smoke from the fire spread towards their home.

The basement, ground floor and staircase leading to the first floor were badly damaged. Police are treating the matter as suspicious since the fire appears to have been started deliberately. This is the second suspicious fire incident that took place in the area. The first was in Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush on the 25th October.

Any witnesses or information to D.S. Steve SKELLY Fulham CID on 0208 246
2997

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