Since the closure of Downham and Woolwich fire stations residents from 22 Lewisham and Greenwich wards are having to wait longer than the six minute target response time according to a new figures published.

In January the Mayor of London forced through the closures of 10 of the capital’s fire stations, including Downham and Woolwich.

Analysis of figures provided to Assembly Members have shown response times in 15 Lewisham wards and seven Greenwich wards have increased since the two stations were shut down in January. 

Lewisham’s Whitefoot community are among the those hit the hardest with their average response time rising from 5.13 in 2012/13 to 7.19 – an increase in more than two minutes.

Downham’s response time has also increased from 5.23 before the closure to 7.15 and Woolwich Common is up 1.15 now averaging at 6.42.

Labour London Assembly Member Len Duvall said: “Fires can take hold in seconds that’s why any increase in response times can be so dangerous.

“As a result of Boris Johnson’s decision to close ten fire stations and with the removal of a further 13 fire engines, even when they are not needed for strike cover, we have seen response times rise in over half of the capital’s wards including significant increases in Greenwich.”

He added: “Given the jump in response times since the fire station closures, it is very fortunate that we have not seen an increase in serious incidents as a result.”

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said results were better than expected.

She said: “The brigade has always maintained that we would not be able to make reductions in resources without having a reduction in response times. The challenge has been to make these changes with minimal impact.”