A fictitious fire in Nicholl House on the Woodberry Down estate aimed to test emergency plans drawn up by the council, fire brigade, police and ambulance services in Hackney.

Residents in Nicholl House did a double take on Tuesday as the live emergency exercise played out on the Woodberry Down Estate, as volunteers who were playing victims wore make up to make the scenario as lifelike as possible.

It provided the chance to test equipment, procedures and the setting up of a rest centre as people were evacuated from their homes.

Cllr Sophie Linden, the council’s cabinet member for crime, sustainability and customer service said: “We always hope we never need to use our emergency procedures but it’s important that we plan for the worst whilst hoping for the best.

“Exercises like this one help the council and the emergency services so that they can respond safely and effectively to an emergency if we need to.”