Fire Engulfs East London High-Rise, Forcing Dozens to Evacuate

A massive fire broke out early this morning at a high-rise building on Freshwater Road in Dagenham, East London, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 residents. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded to the emergency with over 200 firefighters and 40 fire engines as they worked to control the blaze.

The fire started at around 2:44 a.m., and quickly spread through the residential and commercial building. Parts of the scaffolding, the ground floor, and the roof of the high-rise caught fire, leading to a rapid evacuation of the building’s occupants.

Station Commander Alan Bendell, who is overseeing the firefighting efforts, warned local residents about the dangers posed by the smoke. “The fire is producing heavy smoke, and we’re advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed,” he said.

To combat the fire, two of the brigade’s 32-meter turntable ladders are being used as aerial water towers, allowing firefighters to tackle the flames from above. Crews from nearby fire stations in Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, and Barking are also at the scene.

As the fire continues to burn, authorities have closed Freshwater Road to traffic and are urging people to avoid the area. “Freshwater Road is closed to traffic, so please avoid the area where possible,” Bendell added.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, and there have been no reports of injuries at this time. The LFB is continuing its efforts to bring the fire under control, and further updates are expected as the situation develops.