Dagenham fire latest: Investigation launched into east London flats blaze as second fire in Blackwall put out

An MP has demanded “a full investigation” into the cause of a fire which tore through a block of flats in Dagenham and why unsafe cladding was still being removed from the building “seven years on from Grenfell”.

Two people were left in hospital after some 225 firefighters and 40 fire engines were dispatched to the Spectrum Building, in Freshwater Road, and more than 80 people were evacuated in the early hours of the morning.

It is unclear what caused the fire in Dagenham but it is understood the building was undergoing work to have non-compliant cladding removed. After the Grenfell Tower disaster in west London in 2017, in which 72 people died, building regulations around cladding were overhauled.

Margaret Mullane, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, said: “There needs to be a full investigation into the cause of this fire, and why, seven years on from Grenfell, unsafe cladding was still in the process of being removed.”

Just hours later, a major fire also broke out at a second block of flats just seven miles west in Blackwall, with no injuries reported.

Have you been affected by this incident? Email andy.gregory@independent.co.uk

Key points

• Investigation into cause of Dagenham fire launched

• MP calls for probe into cladding ‘seven years on from Grenfell'

• Second tower block fire starts in east London

• Two in hospital as burning block of flats evacuated

• Cladding was being replaced on Dagenham flats, company says

• Escaping Dagenham fire felt like a ‘nightmare’, resident says

Cladding will form part of investigation into fire, chief says

21:55 , Andy Gregory

An investigation into the fire has begun, during which questions around the role of cladding will “form part” of the probe, the London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne has said.

Asked by reporters at the scene how large a role cladding had played in the fire in Dagenham, and how close the incident was to a “bigger disaster”, Mr Goulbourne said: “What I wouldn’t want to do is pre-empt an investigation.

“This was a very, very dynamic incident, and clearly it’s going to require a very complex investigation, not only to get to its cause, but to get to an understanding of the fire spread – so it’s it’s too early at this time to be able to give any detail on that, but that will form part of our investigation in the coming days.”

Everyone ‘accounted for’ after Dagenham blaze, fire brigade says

21:28 , Andy Gregory

All people have been “accounted for” after the blaze in Dagenham, the London Fire Brigade has confirmed.

More than 80 people were evacuated and two were taken to hospital after the fire broke out and engulfed the entire building, which is used for residential and commercial purposes, the fire service said.

The LFB said it was called to the blaze in Freshwater Road at 2.44am on Monday where 20 people were rescued following a “significant search-and-rescue operation” as 45 engines and around 225 firefighters responded to the incident.

According to the LFB, the London Ambulance Service treated four people at the scene.

Cladding remedial work can increase fire risk, says housing journalist

20:29 , Andy Gregory

Carrying out remedial work can potentially increase the risk of fire at a building, a leading housing journalist has said.

“We don’t know what’s happened in Dagenham yet, but if a building has got fire safety issues the risks are higher”, Vicky Spratt, housing correspondent at the i newspaper, told the BBC.

When a building is having cladding removed or fire safety issues “rectified”, the risk of a fire can be “increased because you have more material around the building”, said Ms Spratt, who criticised successive government’s “sluggish” responses to the Grenfell fire seven years ago given that buildings are still having cladding removed.

Resident left coughing up black smoke after ‘terrible’ fire

20:02 , Andy Gregory

Sam Ogbeide, who lives on the fourth floor of the Freshwater Road flats, said he was coughing up “black” from the smoke and that “everything is gone”.

He told reporters: “I opened my main door, smoke was coming in from the window – I live at the back. I saw it. Very terrible, very terrible.”

Mr Ogbeide said it was very busy in the building’s stairwell with residents who “didn’t bring anything” when evacuating, with some still “naked”.

He said: “I’ve never experienced something like this in my life. Everything is gone. I don’t know what to do.”

Asked how he felt, he added: “I’m not feeling okay. All my mouth is bitter because I feel the smoke in me. When I cough, you see the black.”

Resident says they have ‘lost everything’ in fire

19:39 , Andy Gregory

Residents of the flat block engulfed by a “nightmare” fire in Dagenham said they have “lost everything”.

Irina Vasile, 46, a healthcare assistant who lived on the second floor, said she was woken by her partner at around 3am telling her there was smoke. “[There was] such a dense smoke all over the apartment,” she said. “When we wanted to open the window, another smoke hit our face, on the throat and the eyes.”

“We didn’t grab nothing – we lost everything,” said Ms Vasile, adding: “My partner is devastated as well. We try to encourage one another because we lost everything. We are scared, frightened to be on the street starting from zero.”

Video report: Around 70 firefighters tackle blaze at 45-storey block in Blackwall

18:55 , Andy Gregory

Facts around Dagenham fire must urgently be established, government says

18:27 , Andy Gregory

The government has said it is “urgently” working with firefighters and local authorities to understand the exact circumstances of the Dagenham fire.

A government spokesperson said: “We must establish the facts surrounding this horrific incident.

“That is why we are urgently working with the London Fire Brigade and local council to understand exactly what happened and ask if more needs to be done to keep people safe in their homes.”

Dagenham fire underscores ‘national scandal’ of flammable cladding, union warns

17:59 , Andy Gregory

The fire in Dagenham at a block of flats with “non-compliant” cladding underscores the “national scandal” of flammable cladding and deregulation in the building industry, the Fire Brigards Union has warned.

In comments just a week ahead of the publication of the final Grefell Tower Inquiry report, the union’s chief Matt Wrack said: “Once again, a fire has erupted in a residential building wrapped in flammable cladding. There needs to be an urgent and swift investigation of how this has been allowed to happen.

“Hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in buildings like it, with various failings in fire safety. This is a national scandal.

“For decades, the FBU has warned of the risks of deregulation in the building sector. Politicians have put the interests of big business above human life. As we saw at Grenfell Tower, this can have horrific and tragic consequences.

“We have highlighted significant building safety failings before and since the Grenfell Tower fire. It was already known that the Dagenham tower block was dangerous. Time and time again, these warnings have been ignored by public authorities and by central government. This must change immediately.

“The FBU will continue to demand robust action on building safety, and justice for the victims of these entirely avoidable fires.”

British Red Cross support evacuated Dagenham residents

17:30 , Alexander Butler

The British Red Cross are supporting Dagenham residents who have been evacuated from their homes and are now sheltering in a leisure centre.

British Red Cross director Chris Davies said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. The British Red Cross have deployed volunteers offering emotional support to evacuated residents who have had their lives turned upside down.

“Working alongside partners, we will continue to be there for those affected as long as we are needed.”

Blackwall resident describes ‘dread’ of seeing fire

17:00 , Alexander Butler

Dylan Lee, 28, who saw flames and smoke billowing from the structure while he was in his apartment in Canary Wharf opposite, said he felt “dread” at the sight.

The designer and VFX artist said: “Around 1.25pm, an alarm rang out when I noticed smoke billowing from the apartment.

“Debris and pieces had fallen from the balcony, glass shattered and caused the fire to expand and engulf the space, with flames reaching out as the wind carried the smoke.”

He said the fire brigade arrived 20 minutes later and added: “I felt dread, especially considering this is the second apartment fire in 24 hours in East London alone.

“I’m hoping the residents made it out OK and the firefighters are in one piece. This was somebody’s home.”

Dagenham MP calls for investigation into fire

16:30 , Alexander Butler

The MP for Dagenham has called for an investigation into the cause of the fire and why unsafe cladding is still being removed from buildings seven years on from Grenfell.

Margaret Mullane, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, said: “There needs to be a full investigation into the cause of this fire, and why, seven years on from Grenfell, unsafe cladding was still in the process of being removed.

“However, my initial actions will be to help the victims of this terrible tragedy, all in absolute shock, as they are moved into temporary accommodation and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”

16:00 , Alexander Butler

The number of firefighters in the UK has fallen by 12,000 since 2010, according to a new study.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) claimed the reduction had left the UK without the resilience needed to guarantee public safety.

One in five firefighter jobs across the country have been axed in the last 14 years, as well as one in three fire control staff, who take emergency calls and mobilise crews, said the union.

Meanwhile, response times to life threatening fires have slowed by three minutes, from 6.11 minutes in 1995 to 9.13 minutes in 2023, it was claimed.

England was the worst impacted, with 10,000 jobs cut (22 per cent of the total).

Pictured: Blackwall fire engulfs flat on 25th floor of 45-storey building

15:40 , Alexander Butler

Watch: London flats on fire as second blaze rages in capital in a day

15:08 , Alexander Butler

Second tower block fire in east London

14:43 , Alexander Butler

Firefighters are battling a huge fire in Blackwall, east London, just hours after rushing to Dagenham to extinguish a separate fire on Monday morning.

Around 70 London Fire Brigade firefighters and 10 fire engines are responding to the fire believed to be coming from a single flat and balcony.

The LFB reposted a video of black smoke billowing out of a multi-storey tower block at New Providence Wharf, a residential and commercial development area near the Blackwall tunnel, on X.

Escaping fire felt like a ‘nightmare’, resident says

14:25 , Alexander Butler

A resident of the building on fire in Dagenham said escaping felt like “a nightmare” and she was was frightened “to be on the street starting from zero”.

Irina Vasile, 46, a healthcare assistant who lived on the second floor, said she was woken by her partner around 3am telling her there was smoke.

Speaking outside the Beacontree Heath Leisure Centre where the residents have been relocated, she said: “There was such a dense smoke all over the apartment. When we wanted to open the window, another smoke hit our face, on the throat and the eyes.”

Ms Vasile said she was spotted by firefighters after shouting for help and calling 999.

She said: “We didn’t grab nothing - we lost everything. The firemen brought us outside, and when I came outside I saw a big fire coming from the building on the ground floor, and when we went further, I saw another big fire on the top.”

The resident said she did not hear a fire alarm go off during the evacuation. She added: “My partner is devastated as well.

“We try to encourage one another because we lost everything. We are scared and frightened to be on the street starting from zero.”

Major incident stood down, Sadiq Khan confirms

14:00 , Alexander Butler

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said the major incident regarding the fire in Dagenham has been stood down and thanked the emergency services who worked “tirelessly” through the night.

In a post on X, Mr Khan wrote: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the fire in Dagenham overnight, and I remain in close contact with the London fire commissioner and emergency services who worked tirelessly through the night to gain control of the fire.

“A major incident was declared which has now been stood down. A rest centre has been set up in the area to support residents, and I urge people in the area to follow LFB’s advice to keep windows and doors closed, and for people to avoid the area where possible.”

Resident escaped from burning building in socks and hospital gown

13:45 , Alexander Butler

Dagenham resident Sam, who lives on the fourth floor of the burnt-out building, told the BBC he had just returned from hospital when the fire engulfed the tower block.

He said he inhaled a lot of smoke and fled the building wearing his hospital gown and socks.

More than 80 evacuated, at least 20 rescued

13:30 , Alexander Butler

London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Goulbourne said more than 80 people were evacuated from the building by firefighters.

He added that 20 people were rescued with some given fire escape hoods, which provide 15 minutes of clean air while the person is moved to safety.

Four people were treated on the scene by the ambulance service, with two of them taken to hospital, he adds.

Role of cladding in fire will be investigated

13:13 , Alexander Butler

Questions around the role of cladding in the fire will form part of the investigation into the incident, a spokesman for London Fire Brigade has said.

When asked about the role cladding played in the fire, assistant commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: “What I wouldn’t want to do is pre-empt an investigation.

“This was a very, very dynamic incident, and clearly it’s going to require a very complex investigation, not only to get to its cause, but to get to an understanding of the fire spread - so it’s it’s too early at this time to be able to give any detail on that, but that will form part of our investigation in the coming days.”

Claim fire alarm did not go off being investigated, fire service says

12:53 , Alexander Butler

Claims by residents that fire alarms did not go off as an inferno ripped through their east London tower block are being investigated, the London fire service said.

The London Fire Brigade said an investigation into the cause of the fire had been launched and firefighters would remain on the scene in Dagenham over the next few days.

Earlier, it said a number of fire safety issues were known to the brigade. It did not clarify what those issues were, but it is understood non-compliant cladding was being removed from the building at the time of the fire.

All residents accounted for, fire brigade says

12:47 , Alexander Butler

All residents of a tower block in east London have been accounted for after hundreds of people were evacuated following a huge fire.

The London Fire Brigade said a major incident had been wound down and an investigation into the cause of the fire - which left two people in hospital and four injured - had been launched.

The brigade added that claims fire alarms did not go off would be part of the investigation and firefighters were speaking to residents to gather evidence.

Dagenham resident ‘won’t have a flat to go back to’

12:38 , Alexander Butler

Justice4Grenfell pays tribute

12:26 , Alexander Butler

A Justice4Grenfell spokesperson said: “Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the devastating fire in Dagenham. This horrific incident underscores the urgent need for safe housing for everyone.

“The government’s prolonged delay in removing dangerous cladding has left lives and liberties at risk, and this is simply unacceptable.

“The process to remove non-compliant cladding has taken far too long, leaving residents in vulnerable situations.

“We demand swift action to ensure that all buildings are made safe without further delay, so tragedies like this do not happen again.”

Grenfell survivors urge government to speed up removal of non-compliant cladding

12:25 , Alexander Butler

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy have urged the Labour government to speed up the removal of unsafe cladding from residential buildings following a fire in an east London tower block.

Spectrum Building in Dagenham went up in flames on Monday morning. It is understood non-compliant cladding was being removed from its exterior.

In 2017, 72 people died after Grenfell Tower in west London caught fire. It emerged the building was covered in a highly flammable type of cladding.

A spokesperson told The Independent: ““We anxiously wait for the news that all residents are accounted for, and that they are all being properly cared for by the relevant authorities.

“Although we do not have all the details, it seems work was underway to remove non compliant cladding, and the building had a number of fire safety issues.

“This highlights the painfully slow progress of remediation across the country, and a lack of urgency for building safety as a whole, including the implementation of personal evacuation plans for disabled residents which needs urgently addressing.”

11:50 , Alexander Butler

The housing secretary has paid tribute to those affected by the fire in Dagenham and said the government was in close contact with the London Fire Brigade.

Angela Rayner said. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the fire in Dagenham at this very difficult time.

“We are in close contact with the London Fire Brigade, council and other agencies on the ground to ensure those affected are being looked after.”

Pictured: Firefighters approach burnt out tower block

11:24 , Alexander Butler

Injuries 'minimal' due to rapid LFB response, says MP

11:03 , Alexander Butler

Margaret Mullane, the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, has said that injuries due to the fire are “minimal”.

She tweeted: “Terrible scenes in Dagenham this morning as @LondonFire tackle the blaze at Freshwater Rd. Thanks to their rapid response injury was minimal.

“I will be visiting the rescue centre today to see what help and support I can offer the residents and businesses who have lost everything.”

What’s the latest?

10:33 , Alexander Butler

At present, a search and rescue operation for survivors is underway after a fire ripped through the east London tower block on Monday morning.

Up to four people were injured and treated at the scene and two residents were rushed to hospital, the London Ambulance Service said.

The cause of the fire is unknown but it is understood the building was undergoing work to remove non-compliant cladding.

Home Secretary thanks fire service

10:05 , Alexander Butler

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked firefighters and other emergency workers for their “bravery and swift response” to the Dagenham fire.

She said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the major fire incident in Dagenham. I thank London Fire Brigade and all emergency services on the ground for their bravery and swift response.”

Ms Cooper added that ministers were being kept updated on the incident.

Six-year-old was terrified by fire, father says

10:02 , Alexander Butler

A six-year-old girl having a sleepover with friends was left terrified by the fire as it ripped through the building she was staying in, her father said.

He father Dinesh Rajtold the BBC the children are “calm now”, but were “terrified” initially. He said he received a call at around 3am from his friend telling him there was a fire in the building.

The father told the BBC he rushed to the scene in his car and that his friend’s family grabbed their six-month-old baby and his daughter and got out as soon as they smelled smoke.

Grenfell survivors pay tribute

09:57 , Alexander Butler

Survivors and bereaved family members of Grenfell have paid tribute to those affected by a huge fire that ripped through an east London tower block.

Grenfell United said: “Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the fire in Dagenham this morning. We hope all residents are safe and adequately cared for by the authorities.”

The campaign group calls for criminal proceedings brought against those allegedly responsible for a fire in west London which caused the death of 72 people.

Grenfell Tower was covered in non-compliant and highly flammable plastic cladding which made the fire worse and harder to extinguish.

Pictured: Smouldering tower block in ruins after huge fire

09:42 , Alexander Butler

Pictured: Firefighters tackle huge inferno

09:40 , Alexander Butler

Pictured: Firefighters tackle blaze

09:31 , Alexander Butler

Residents urged to keep windows closed due to smoke

09:21 , Alexander Butler

Residents in Dagenham have been urged to keep their windows closed to avoid smoke.

Station Commander Alan Bendell, who is at the scene of the fire, said: “The fire is producing heavy smoke and we’re advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed.

“Two of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders are being used at the scene as aerial water towers to assist with tackling the fire from height.

“Freshwater Road is closed to traffic, so please avoid the area where possible.”

Watch: Two people in hospital after Dagenham fire

09:15 , Alexander Butler

Watch: Fire safety issues were known to London Fire Brigade

09:14 , Alexander Butler

Pictured: Firefighters tackle ground floor blaze

09:01 , Alexander Butler

Investigation into cause of fire to take place

08:44 , Alexander Butler

An investigation into the cause of the fire which ripped through a tower block in Dagenham will take place soon, the London Fire Brigade said.

Cladding was being replaced on flats, company says

08:39 , Alexander Butler

Work was under way on the fire-hit block of flats to remove the “non-compliant” cladding on it, according to a company involved in the work.

The company recently posted on Facebook to say that the work on the east London building was focusing on its fifth and sixth floors.

It is for this reason that the building was covered in scaffolding, the post says. In May 2023, a planning application was filed for remedial work to external cladding on the fifth and sixth floors of the building.

The London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Two people rushed to hospital

08:29 , Alexander Butler

Two people have been rushed to hospital and four were treated at the scene as a fire ripped through a tower block in east London.

Fire and ambulance crews were called to Freshwater Road in Dagenham at around 3am on Monday to reports of a fire.

The London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire was unknown but a number of fire safety issues were known to the brigade.

Watch: London high-rise engulfed in fire as more than 200 firefighters attend Dagenham blaze

08:27 , Alexander Butler

This is the moment hundreds of firefighters rushed to tackle a blaze that engulfed a tower block in Dagenham, east London, in the early hours of Monday morning.

The London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire was unknown but a number of fire safety issues were known to the brigade - and a search and rescue operation was underway.

The London Ambulance Service added that two people were rushed to hospital and four were treated at the scene.

Search and rescue operation underway

08:24 , Alexander Butler

A major incident has been declared by the London Fire Brigade and a search and rescue operation is underway after a fire ripped through the Dagenham tower block.

The London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire was unknown but a number of fire safety issues were known to the brigade.

It is understood that work was under way on the fire-hit block of flats to remove the “non-compliant” cladding on it.

Two in hospital as burning block of flats evacuated

08:15 , Alexander Butler

Two people were rushed to hospital after hundreds were evacuated from a burning block of flats in east London early this morning.

Footage showed the inferno engulfing the roof of the building on Freshwater Road, Dagenham, as around 225 firefightersand 40 fire engines rushed to tackle the blaze.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called at 2.44am on Monday with crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and other fire stations arriving at the scene.