Dozens are evacuated as firefighters battle blaze in east London
More than 100 people have been evacuated from a high-rise tower block which became engulfed in flames in the middle of the night.
Some 40 fire engines and 225 firefighters have been sent to battle the blaze on Freshwater Road in Dagenham, east London, which has left two people in hospital.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB), which was called at 2.44am, said parts of the scaffolding surrounding the building, as well as the ground floor and the roof, were alight.
The London Ambulance Service said it treated four patients at the scene and took two of them to hospital. Their condition is unknown at this stage.
Shocking images show huge flames ripping through the residential and commercial building, with firefighters desperately trying to put out the fire. The cause of the blaze, which has resulted in thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky, is not yet known.
More than 100 people were evacuated from a high-rise block of flats which became engulfed in flames in the middle of the night
Some 40 fire engines and around 225 firefighters were sent to battle the blaze on Freshwater Road, which has left two people in hospital
Firefighters work hard to try and put the terrifying blaze out after a fire broke out in the night
Nearby residents have been told to shut their windows and doors due to smoke billowing into the sky
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.’
Several ambulances are parked nearby to the blaze and an air ambulance was also dispatched.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 2:52am today (26 August) to reports of a fire on Freshwater Road in Dagenham.
‘We sent a large number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, incident response officers, an advanced paramedic in critical care, emergency planning officers, a command support vehicle and members of our hazardous area response team (HART).
‘We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.’
A paramedic with a face mask as firefighters work at the scene of a large fire
The London Ambulance Service said it treated four patients at the scene and took two of them to hospital
Crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and surrounding fire stations are at the scene
LFB is describing the property as a ‘mixed-used residential and commercial building’. Pictured is the building this morning
‘We treated four patients at the scene and took two of them to a hospital.’
Crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
LFB is describing the property as a ‘mixed-used residential and commercial building’. The BBC reports that more than 100 people were evacuated.
The brigade has also sent up a drone to assess where efforts need to be concentrated.
