London skyscraper drama as window cleaners rescued from 15th floor after cradle malfunctions

Two window cleaners were rescued from the 15th floor of a tower block in Southwark on Thursday.

Firefighters were called just after 5pm to help two men, who had become trapped in a window cleaning cradle on the 15th floor of a building on Blackfriars Road after it malfunctioned.

Crews from Dowgate and a 64m turntable ladder from Old Kent Road rushed to the scene.

The men were rescued by 6.15pm.

Crews used a 64m turntable ladder to reach the men and bring them down to the ground safely.

The men became trapped on a suspended platform outside a building in Southwark

PA

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "Thankfully no-one was hurt and the men were rescued safely and quickly.

"This is a great example of how the Brigade uses its specialist equipment to meet the challenges of London's built environment. It is vital that we continue to have the right equipment to enable us to respond effectively and keep London's communities safe."

The 64m turntable ladder, which is the tallest aerial appliance in Europe, can reach heights of up to 20 floors and features an onboard lift that can be used for mass casualty rescue if the conditions are suitable.

The turntable ladders can also be used for getting water up to height and as an observation platform to provide valuable insight into how an incident is developing.