Man Dies After Fire in 17th-Floor Flat in Poplar

Overview

• An early-hours blaze broke out in a two-room flat on the 17th floor of a 22-storey block on Blackwall Way and a man was declared dead at the scene.
• Fire crews from across east London sent ten engines and about 70 firefighters who rescued two adults and a child from the burning flat and brought the fire under control.
• Roughly 50 people left the building before crews arrived and were taken to a local rest centre for shelter and support.
• The London Fire Brigade said it is examining a range of possible factors and an on-site investigation is ongoing to establish how the fire started.
• Emergency teams will continue to support displaced residents and any findings from the probe could affect access to the block and rehousing for those affected.