A massive fire has struck a building in Dagenham, east London, resulting in a monumental response from over 200 firefighters. Two individuals have been rushed to the hospital for treatment. The fire has devastated the entire structure, encompassing the scaffolding surrounding it and the roof.
The building, which served as a mixed-use residential and commercial space, was already known to have various fire safety issues. Shockingly, a planning application from 2023 revealed that the structure was covered in “non-compliant” cladding. The scaffolding had been set up to remove the hazardous cladding on the fifth and sixth floors when the catastrophic fire erupted.
The sight of colossal plumes of smoke billowing into the sky caught the attention of onlookers as 40 fire engines and 225 firefighters rapidly mobilized to the scene. Emergency services received the distress call around 2:44 am, and within a remarkable response time of five minutes, the first teams arrived at the tower block.
The London Fire Brigade has initiated a significant search and rescue operation, ensuring the safety of all occupants. Dozens of people, including children, were promptly evacuated from the building. Four patients received immediate medical attention on-site, and two required further treatment at the hospital, according to the London Ambulance Service.
It is imperative that thorough investigations into the cause of this devastating fire are conducted. The incident underscores the critical need to address and rectify fire safety issues in buildings across the country. The safety of residents and the prevention of such catastrophes should always be a top priority.