A massive blaze tore through a block of flats in east London on Tuesday evening, with firefighters rescuing one resident trapped inside and bringing the fire under control. London Fire Brigade received the first of 65 calls about the fire just after 8pm, dispatching crews from Stoke Newington, Tottenham, Homerton, and other surrounding fire stations. A 32-metre turntable ladder was included in the fleet of 10 fire engines, enabling 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 20 evacuated residents.
Pictures from the scene showed columns of cloying black smoke rising into the summer sky across Hackney, as nearby residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed to avoid fumes. Upon arrival, firefighters found one person still inside and helped them to safety. One person was assessed by paramedics at the scene but did not require hospital treatment. A spokesperson for Hackney Council confirmed that all residents had 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 the council was "opening a rest centre for those who have had to vacate their homes."
Fire Brought Under Control After Hours of Effort
The fire, which produced a significant amount of smoke, was brought under control just before 11pm. Fire crews are expected to remain at the scene throughout the night to fully extinguish the flames and dampen down the area. Evacuated residents have been blocked from returning home until it is declared safe, spending the night 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. Firefighters will continue working through the night to ensure the scene is safe and to support the affected residents.
