Forty fire engines and about 225 firefighters were battling a fire at a block of flats in Dagenham, east London, with reports that more than 100 people were evacuated from the building.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said parts of the scaffolding surrounding the building on Freshwater Road, as well as the ground floor and the roof, were alight.
Station commander Alan Bendell, at the scene of the fire, said it was “producing heavy smoke” and they advised 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,” Bendell said, adding that “Freshwater Road is closed to traffic, so please avoid the area where possible.”
The LFB said it was called to the scene at 2.44am on Monday with crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and surrounding fire stations at the scene.
The BBC reported that more than 100 people were evacuated from the building. The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
More to come
Source: theguardian.com
