Blackwall fire: 70 firefighters tackle blaze as black smoke billows from block of flats

26 August 2024 , 15:26

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Blackwall fire: 70 firefighters tackle blaze as black smoke billows from block of flats

The LFB reposted an alarming video of black smoke billowing out of a 43-storey tower block at New Providence Wharf, a residential and commercial development area in Blackwall

Several dozen firefighters and 10 engines are responding to a massive fire at a high-rise block of flats in east London this afternoon.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said approximately 70 firefighters have been deployed to the scene in Blackwall with alarming footage showing flames and black smoke billowing from a 43-storey building in a residential area near Blackwall Tunnel. The smoke can be seen emanating from halfway up Charrington Tower, with the LFB saying half of a 25th floor flat and its balcony caught alight this afternoon. 

A video taken at the scene shows the thick black column streaming from the window not long after residents said they heard a fire alarm go off. The eyewitness said they saw pieces of glass and debris falling from the flat as the wind carried the smoke through the sky as the alarm activated at around 1.25pm. They said: "Around 1.25pm an alarm rang out when I noticed smoke billowing from the apartment.

They added: "Debris and pieces had fallen from the balcony, glass shattered and caused the fire to expand and engulfed the space, with flames reaching out as the wind carried the smoke. The fire brigade arrived 20 minutes later and were tackling it from the adjacent apartment around 1.52pm."

In a statement, the London Fire Brigade, said: "Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a flat fire in a high rise building on Biscayne Avenue in Blackwall. Half of a flat and balcony on the 25th floor of the 45-storey building is alight.The fire is producing a large amount of smoke. Those in the local area are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid Biscayne Avenue if possible.

"The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken over 100 calls to the blaze. The Brigade was first called at 1328. Crews from Millwall, Plaistow, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations are in attendance at the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this time." 

The blaze was reported a matter of hours after hundreds of firefighters battled an early morning blaze at a tower block in Dagenham, east London, with 225 having rushed to the scene and 100 people evacuated. Firefighters have since stood down from the scene in Dagenham, which saw two people taken to hospital.

Over 100 people were evacuated from a high-rise on fire in Dagenham early this morning ( Image: REX/Shutterstock)

All of the building’s occupants have now been accounted for, the fire brigade said.

Thomas Brown