Major Fire at Dagenham High-Rise: Over 200 Firefighters Battle Blaze, Residents Evacuated
A major fire broke out early Monday morning at a high-rise block of flats on Freshwater Road in Dagenham, East London. The fire started around 2:44 AM and quickly spread through the building, causing thick black smoke that could be seen from miles away. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded swiftly, sending about 225 firefighters and 40 fire engines from nearby stations, including Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, and Barking, to fight the blaze.
The fire spread quickly, engulfing the building’s roof and ground floor. Thick black smoke rose from the building and could be seen far away. Knowing the site had previous fire safety concerns, the London Fire Brigade immediately declared a major incident and started a search and rescue operation. Two residents were taken to the hospital for treatment, and four others received care at the scene. Over 100 residents were evacuated as the fire continued to burn.
Station Commander Alan Bendell, overseeing the operation, urged residents to keep their windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke. Two of the Brigade’s 32-meter turntable ladders were deployed as aerial water towers to help extinguish the fire from above. As a precaution, Freshwater Road has been closed to traffic, and residents are advised to avoid the area.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the LFB is investigating the incident alongside efforts to extinguish the blaze fully. It has been reported that work was underway to remove non-compliant cladding from the building, a factor that may be scrutinized during the investigation.
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