Window cleaners rescued from 15th floor of London skyscraper

It's a job that's not for the faint-hearted.

But two window cleaners had a day they won't forget in a hurry as they were rescued from the 15th floor of a London skyscraper after their cradle malfunctioned.

The men became trapped on a suspended platform outside a building in Southwark on Thursday evening, London Fire Brigade said.

Firefighters was called shortly after 5.20pm and a 64m turntable ladder was sent to the scene to bring the pair down to safety.

Photos showed the yellow structure extending out of a fire engine to reach the men, who were suspended on One Blackfriars by Berkeley.

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The incident was "under control" by 6.15pm, the fire service said.

"Thankfully no-one was hurt and the men were rescued safely and quickly," a spokesperson added.

The ladder used to rescue the pair is the tallest aerial appliance in Europe and can reach heights of up to 20 floors.

One Blackfriars by Berkeley, a mixed-use development, is around 558ft tall and overlooks the River Thames.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: Window cleaners rescued from 15th floor of London skyscraper

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