In east London, a major incident was declared due to a fire, and more than one hundred people were evacuated. Two individuals were brought to the hospital.
A fire that overtook a building in Dagenham, east London, with “known” safety difficulties has resulted in the evacuation of more than one hundred people and the transportation of two further individuals to the hospital.
After being dispatched to the incident on Freshwater Road at 2.44 in the morning on Monday, the London Incident Brigade (LFB) stated that it was conducting a “significant search and rescue operation” at the time.
An additional forty-five engines and around two hundred and twenty-five firefighters were dispatched to the scene of the fire that consumed the entire mixed-use commercial and residential structure, including the scaffolding that surrounded the property and the top, according to the LFB.
Around 7:30 in the morning, the fire department reported that the fire was emitting a significant amount of smoke and asked the residents of the area to keep their doors and windows shut.
According to the local member of parliament, the “terrible scenes” resulted in “minimal” injuries thanks to the prompt arrival of the emergency services.
According to Andy Roe, the commissioner of the LFB, the organisation has declared a serious event in order to enable the service to concentrate its resources on the fire.
He continued by saying, “The London fire brigade is aware of a number of fire safety issues that are present in the building.” An immediate and comprehensive evacuation of the building was conducted simultaneously, and a massive search and rescue effort is currently underway.
In order to deal with the crisis, the brigade has established complete strategic arrangements, and a rest station has been established at the Becontree Health and Leisure station.
There are officers from the LFB stationed at the rest centre to provide assistance to the locals.
According to Roe, the fire was put out with the assistance of drones, as well as turntable ladders of 64 metres and 32 metres in height, which served as vantage points for assessing the situation and putting out the flames with water from above.
At the same time as Freshwater Road remained closed to traffic, fire departments from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, and Barking, as well as those from the surrounding areas, responded to the incident. Those who were in the vicinity were strongly encouraged to stay away from it.
For the time being, the cause of the fire is unknown.
Margaret Mullane, the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, made the following statement on X: “Terrible scenes in Dagenham this morning as @LondonFire tackles the blaze at Freshwater Rd.”
“As a result of their prompt response, I sustained only a minor injury. In order to determine the extent of the assistance and support that I am able to provide to the locals and businesses that have lost everything, I will be going to the rescue centre today.