Man dies following high-rise flat fire in east London

A man has died following a serious fire at a high-rise block of flats in Poplar in the early hours of this morning (12 September).

An investigation is under way into the cause of a blaze at a flat on the 17th floor of a block in east London.

Ten fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters were dispatched to the blaze on Blackwall Way at 4.35am.

The fire affected a two-room flat and its balcony on the 17th floor of a 22-storey residential building. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued two adults and a child from the property.

Despite the efforts of emergency crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Around 50 other residents managed to leave the building before firefighters arrived and have since been accommodated at a rest centre.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the Brigade's Fire Investigation Team examining a number of possible factors.

London Fire Brigade said:

“The Brigade’s 999 control officers were called at 0435 and mobilised crews from Poplar, Whitechapel, Plaistow, Stratford, Shadwell, East Ham, East Greenwich, Bethnal Green and Greenwich fire stations.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

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