A brutal arson attack at a party in a Beckton block of flats has resulted in the death of 14-year-old Tiffany Regis and left five friends injured. Witnesses reported that petrol was poured through the letterbox to ignite the fire, causing chaos and panic as people jumped from burning windows.
Police arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of murder in connection with the fire but have since released him on bail while investigations continue. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the fire is being treated as arson.
The incident occurred just after 5 p.m. on Thursday at a second-floor flat on Tollgate Road, E6. Emergency services responded promptly after reports of the fire rapidly spreading through the block.
Neighbours described terrifying scenes during the fire. One neighbour said, “It was chaos. The screams were piercing. I heard cries for help and saw someone jump from the third floor. Someone poured petrol through the letterbox to start it. It’s terrifying.”
The injured were treated at hospital and later released with non-life-threatening wounds. Sadly, Tiffany was declared dead at the scene.
The community is in shock following the tragedy. Tiffany’s friends described her as a warm, talented young girl who dreamed of a career as a make-up artist. “We’re heartbroken,” they said. “Tiffany made the world a better place. Our hearts have been shattered.”
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick of the North East Command Unit stated, “My thoughts at this time are with the victim and their family and friends. Incidents such as these send shockwaves through our communities.” He added that officers would be patrolling the area over the Easter weekend to support local residents.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command appealed to the public: “We are at the very early stages of our investigation and urge anyone with information to come forward. We understand the impact this has on the community.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference 5315/6APR.
Originally published by UKNIP.
