Shadwell fire: Residents flee tower block blaze in east London as fire rips through 15th floor flat

Eighty firefighters battled the fire that is under investigation
Twelve fire engines and 80 firefighters battled the fire in a 24-storey block of flats in Shadwell
Twitter/@Tomkonig
Matt Watts20 September 2023

Dozens of people fled a tower block in East London as a blaze ripped through a 15th floor flat.

Twelve fire engines and 80 firefighters battled the fire in a 24-storey block of flats on Hindmarsh Close in Shadwell.

Around 40 people left the building before firefighters arrived while around 20 people were led to safety by fire crews, London Fire Brigade said.

There have been no reports of any injuries.

People in the wider area were advised to keep windows and doors closed. Road closures remained in place.

The Brigade’s 64-metre turntable ladder was used to help fight the fire from height as it took hold of most of the flat.

999 emergency control officers received more than 65 calls about the blaze as smoke billowed from the windows across the skyline.

Emergency services were called at 12.16pm and the fire was brought under control by 1.26pm, a spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said.

Station Commander Steve Irvine, who is at the scene, said: “A respite centre has been set up locally for those who have been affected by the fire and we are working with local partners.

“Road closures remain in place in the area and we’d ask that people continue to avoid the area at this time.”

Crews from Shadwell, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Dockhead, Millwall and surrounding fire stations have been at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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