Fire crews will remain at the scene throughout the night to fully extinguish the blaze in hope of returning the evacuated home on Wednesday
A massive blaze has torn through a block of flats in east London, with firefighters rescuing one resident who was trapped inside while bringing the fire under control. London Fire Brigade received the first of 65 calls about the fire just after 8pm, with crews dispatched to the scene near Hackney from Stoke Newington, Tottenham, Homerton and other surrounding fire stations. A 32-metre turntable ladder was included in the fleet of 10 fire engines called forth to battle the blaze, making it possible for firefighters to attack the flames from above. More than 70 firefighters descended on the fire at Mount Pleasant Lane in Clapton, battling to save the homes of the 20 evacuated residents.
Pictures from the scene show columns of cloying black smoke rising into the summer sky across the well-to-do hamlet of Hackney, as nearby residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed to avoid the fumes.
Upon arrival, firefighters found one person still inside, helping them to safety – one person was also assessed by paramedics at the scene but did not require hospital treatment. A spokesperson for Hackney Council confirmed all that residents have now been “safely evacuated”. “We are supporting emergency services following a fire at a block on The Mount, Mount Pleasant Lane in Upper Clapton this evening,” the spokesperson said, adding that council was “opening a rest centre for those who have had to vacate their homes”. The fire, which produced a “significant amount of smoke”, was brought under control just before 11pm. Fire crews are expected to remain there throughout the night working to fully extinguish the flames and to dampen down the scene. Evacuated residents have therefore been blocked from returning home until it crews declare it safe to do so, with their night to be spent at the rest centre.
London Fire Brigade station commander Tom Sharp, who was at the scene, said: “The fire was producing a significant amount of smoke. “We advised people in the local area to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke travel. This advice has now been lifted. “A rest centre has been set up locally for around 20 residents impacted by this fire. We have officers and our community engagement team working alongside the local authority and other partner agencies to support these residents.” The cause of the fire is under investigation.
