Firefighters in London, U.K., are being hailed as heroes for their quick action in containing a massive apartment building fire that began early Wednesday morning.
The blaze engulfed a 24-storey apartment building in flames and killed at least 12 people while injuring 74 others.
READ MORE: At least 12 dead in massive London high-rise apartment fire
Firefighters arrived at the scene around 1 a.m., just six minutes after the fire was reported, and worked overnight to help evacuate the building and get the inferno under control.
More than 200 members of the London Fire Brigade were involved in the rescue efforts, as well as 40 fire trucks and other vehicles, London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton wrote on Facebook.
READ MORE: Eyewitnesses describe ‘horror movie’ as ‘inferno’ consumed high-rise
“Crews wearing breathing apparatus have been working in extremely difficult conditions to rescue people and bring this major fire under control,” he said.
Photos emerged of firefighters resting on sidewalks and street corners after hours of battling the towering blaze.
British social media users took to Twitter to thank the London Fire Brigade for its tireless service, some praising them as “true heroes.”
After containing the flames, firefighters continued to work by carrying out systematic searches throughout the charred wreckage.
While firefighters were lauded for their bravery, the government was criticized for supporting the decision to shutter 10 fire stations in 2014, as part of an effort to save £45 million. The country’s oldest station, 140-year-old Clerkenwell, was part of the cuts, according to The Independent.
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Prime Minister Theresa May drew similar ire following the London Bridge terror attack, for supporting police cuts during her time as home secretary.
After the attack, the prime minister responded by saying police services are “well resourced,” The Guardian reported.
— With a file from The Associated Press
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