Photo: Shutterstock Two window cleaners were rescued from the 15th floor of a building on Blackfriars Road in Southwark after their window-cleaning cradle malfunctioned, the London Fire Brigade said.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 5:22 p.m. and dispatched crews from Dowgate, along with a 64-metre turntable ladder from Old Kent Road. The incident was brought under control by 6:15 p.m.
Firefighters used the specialist ladder to reach the stranded workers and bring them safely down to the ground. The London Ambulance Service assessed both men at the scene. Neither was injured, according to the Brigade.
“Thankfully no-one was hurt and the men were rescued safely and quickly,” a London Fire Brigade spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the incident demonstrated how the Brigade uses specialist equipment to deal with the challenges of London's built environment, stressing the importance of having the right resources to respond effectively and keep the public safe.
The 64-metre turntable ladder used in the rescue is described by the Brigade as the tallest aerial appliance in Europe. It can reach heights of up to 20 floors and has an onboard lift that can be used for mass-casualty rescues when conditions allow.
Turntable ladders also serve other purposes during emergencies. Firefighters can use them to deliver water to elevated areas or as observation platforms to help assess how an incident is developing.
The Brigade did not report any injuries in the incident.