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 that incident and more than 80 people were evacuated from the building 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. Cladding was used in the construction of Grenfell Tower in west London which burnt down in 2017 and left 72 people dead. 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.”
Dagenham fire latest: Investigation over safety issues as MP calls for cladding probe ‘7 years after Grenfell’
London high-rise engulfed in fire as more than 200 firefighters tackle blaze
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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 that incident and more than 80 people were evacuated from the building 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.
Cladding was used in the construction of Grenfell Tower in west London which burnt down in 2017 and left 72 people dead.
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.”
Have you been affected by this incident? Email andy.gregory@independent.co.uk
Key points
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British Red Cross support evacuated Dagenham residents
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.”
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 17:30
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Blackwall resident describes ‘dread’ of seeing fire
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.”
Witness Dylan Lee saw debris falling from the 25th floor of the high-rise building (X/@JohnWickMG/PA Wire)
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 17:00
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Dagenham MP calls for investigation into fire
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.”
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 16:30
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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).
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 16:00
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Pictured: Blackwall fire engulfs flat on 25th floor of 45-storey building
The fire that broke out on the 25th floor of a high-rise building in Blackwall is now under control, fire service says (Dylan Lee)Half a flat and a balcony caught fire in the second blaze to hit east London in the same day (X/@JohnWickMG/PA Wire)
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 15:40
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Watch: London flats on fire as second blaze rages in capital in a day
London flats on fire as second blaze rages in capital in a day
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 15:08
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Second tower block fire in east London
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.
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 14:43
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Escaping fire felt like a ‘nightmare’, resident says
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.”
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 14:25
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Major incident stood down, Sadiq Khan confirms
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.”
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 14:00
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Resident escaped from burning building in socks and hospital gown
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.
Alexander Butler26 August 2024 13:45
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dagenham-fire-london-flats-freshwater-road-latest-b2601864.html