Blackwall: Dozens of firefighters tackle blaze at multi-storey tower block

Handout photo taken with permission from the X feed of @JohnWickMG of the scene of a fire at a multi-storey tower block at New Providence Wharf in London. Around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines are responding to a fire in Blackwall, east London, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said. Picture date: Monday August 26, 2024.
Ten fire engines are responding to the blaze. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

No injuries were reported after a fire broke out in a 45-storey building in Blackwall, east London, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

A “small part” of a flat and the “entirety of a balcony” on the 25th floor of the tower block were destroyed in the blaze at New Providence Wharf, Biscayne Avenue, the brigade said in a statement.

Around 70 firefighters, including crews from Millwall, Plaistow, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations, were called to the tower block at 1.28pm on Monday. By 2.50pm, the fire was under control, the LFB added.

Videos on social media appeared to show black smoke billowing out of the side of New Providence Wharf, a residential and commercial development area near the Blackwall tunnel.

Dylan Lee, 28, said he felt "dread" after seeing flames and smoke rising from the structure while he was in his apartment in Canary Wharf opposite.

The designer and VFX artist said: “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.”

A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said it was called to the incident at 1.27pm where they supported other emergency services, and were stood down “when it was determined there were no patients reported at the scene”.

The fire was brought under control by around 2.50pm. Credit: PA

A 64-metre turntable ladder was deployed as an observation tower by the LFB during the incident.The brigade said the fire produced a large amount of smoke and advised people in the local area to keep windows and doors shut and avoid Biscayne Avenue if possible.The fire service added that it had received more than 110 calls regarding the fire and that the cause was under investigation.

The blaze is the second high-rise fire in east London the brigade has had to deal with on Monday.

It comes just hours after a blaze engulfed a tower block in Dagenham, where a major incident was declared.

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