A massive blaze erupted on Sunday evening, April 20, at a residential tower block on Leman Street in Aldgate. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) provided an urgent update following the incident.
At 5:43pm, emergency services received 15 calls reporting the fire. In response, LFB quickly dispatched fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters to the scene to tackle the flames. The fire engulfed two flats located on the sixth and seventh floors of the multi-storey building.
Fire crews successfully evacuated eleven residents to safety. Remarkably, no injuries have been reported so far.
Borough Commander Lucy Macleod, who was present at the scene, praised the team’s swift and coordinated efforts. She said, “Crews acted swiftly to bring the fire under control but will remain on site this evening to damp down remaining hotspots.”
Commander Macleod also noted, “Road closures are in place causing significant congestion. We urge the public to avoid the area while we work to make the scene safe.” She added, “One of our 64-metre turntable ladders doubled as an observation tower, giving commanders a vital vantage point during the fight.”
Firefighters from Whitechapel, Shadwell, Shoreditch, Dowgate, Bethnal Green, and nearby stations worked together to control the fire. The blaze was brought under control by 7:33pm, less than two hours after the first emergency call.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed that the cause of the blaze is currently under investigation, with specialist teams examining how the fire started.
LFB is collaborating with local authorities to support affected residents. Many evacuees have been provided with temporary shelter while safety checks continue.
Road closures remain in force around Aldgate, causing major traffic delays. Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes and avoid the area.
The brigade has appealed for public assistance, asking anyone with information or footage of the fire to come forward. “Further updates will follow as the investigation progresses,” LFB stated.
For ongoing emergency updates and road closure information, the public is encouraged to follow @LondonFire and @TfLTrafficNews on social media.
Originally published by UKNIP.
