A fire broke out in a building in Dagenham, east London, resulting in the evacuation of over 100 people and two individuals being taken to the hospital. The London Fire Brigade responded to the blaze on Freshwater Road in the early hours of Monday morning, with 45 engines and approximately 225 firefighters on the scene. The fire engulfed the entire mixed-use commercial and residential building, including scaffolding and the roof.
Despite the severity of the fire, there were minimal injuries due to the quick response of the emergency services. The London Fire Brigade declared a major incident to focus resources on the fire, stating that the building had known fire safety issues. A full evacuation of the building was carried out, and a search and rescue operation was underway.
Drones and turntable ladders were deployed to assess the scene and extinguish the flames from above. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Local MP Margaret Mullane praised the rapid response of the London Fire Brigade and expressed her support for residents and businesses affected by the blaze.
Freshwater Road remained closed to traffic, and the LFB advised people to avoid the area if possible. A rest center was set up at Beacontree Health and Leisure Centre, with LFB officers stationed there to support residents. The incident highlights the importance of fire safety measures and the crucial role of emergency services in responding to such emergencies.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
