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Two people have been rushed to hospital after hundreds were evacuated from a burning block of flats in east London early this morning.
Footage showed the inferno engulfing the roof of the building – known to have “a number of fire safety issues”- in Dagenham as around 225 firefighters and 40 fire engines rushed to tackle the blaze.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called at 2.44am on Monday with crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and other fire stations arriving at the scene.
Thick black smoke could also be seen billowing from the roof, scaffolding and ground floor which were all on fire, the brigade added.
Station commander Alan Bendell, who is at the scene of the fire, said: “The fire is producing heavy smoke and we’re advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed.
“Two of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders are being used at the scene as aerial water towers to assist with tackling the fire from height. Freshwater Road is closed to traffic, so please avoid the area where possible.”
Have you been affected by this incident? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk
Search and rescue operation underway
A major incident has been declared by the London Fire Brigade and a search and rescue operation is underway after a fire ripped through the Dagenham tower block.
The London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire was unknown but a number of fire safety issues were known to the brigade.
It is understood that work was under way on the fire-hit block of flats to remove the “non-compliant” cladding on it.
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 08:24
Two in hospital as burning block of flats evacuated
Two people were rushed to hospital after hundreds were evacuated from a burning block of flats in east London early this morning.
Footage showed the inferno engulfing the roof of the building on Freshwater Road, Dagenham, as around 225 firefightersand 40 fire engines rushed to tackle the blaze.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called at 2.44am on Monday with crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and other fire stations arriving at the scene.
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 08:15