A major fire has engulfed a high-rise building in Dagenham, East London, prompting the evacuation of over 100 residents, including children, and sending two individuals to the hospital, according to BBC UK report. The building, located on Freshwater Road, is a mixed-use residential and commercial property that was known to have several fire safety issues, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
The blaze broke out at 02:44 BST, quickly spreading from the scaffolding surrounding the structure to parts of the building from the ground floor up to the sixth floor and the roof. The LFB responded swiftly, declaring a major incident and dispatching 40 fire engines and approximately 225 firefighters to the scene.
“A full simultaneous evacuation of the building was immediately carried out and a significant search and rescue operation is underway. The building has a number of fire safety issues known to London Fire Brigade,” said London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe.
Thick black smoke continues to pour from the building, with flames visible from several blocks away. The LFB has deployed drones to assess the situation and is using two 32-metre turntable ladders as aerial water towers to tackle the fire from above.
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) treated four people on the scene, two of whom were taken to the hospital. An air ambulance was also dispatched as part of the emergency response.
The area around Freshwater Road remains closed to traffic as crews from fire stations in Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking, and surrounding areas continue to battle the blaze. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke.
About Author
Leave a Reply