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A late-night fire erupted near the Baitul Aman Mosque & Cultural Centre in Bethnal Green, sending a wave of concern through the heart of East London's vibrant British Bangladeshi community. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday, prompted a swift response from emergency services and drew scores of anxious residents from their homes, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.
As of 5 a.m. on Thursday, when this report was written, there were no reports of casualties from the fire.
The entire area was enveloped in smoke. Many people were seen crying from the upper floors of the building. Police are stationed in the area. The fire originated in a building on Cornwall Avenue, next to Bangabandhu Primary School.
The blaze, originating in close proximity to the mosque located at 101 Braintree Street, E2 0FT, triggered immediate alarm within the densely populated neighbourhood. Residents, roused from their sleep by the sight of smoke and the sounds of commotion, rushed outdoors to witness the unfolding scene.
"It was a terrifying sight," recounted a local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous. "The flames and smoke were visible from my window. We were all worried about the mosque and everyone inside. Thankfully, it seems the fire was nearby, but the fear was still very real."
The London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police arrived promptly, working to contain the fire and ensure the safety of the surrounding area. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, leaving the community grappling with uncertainty and apprehension.
The Baitul Aman Mosque & Cultural Centre stands as a pivotal landmark in the area, serving not only as a place of worship but also as a vital social and cultural hub for the large Bangladeshi population. The incident, while not directly impacting the mosque structure itself, has nonetheless shaken the community, highlighting the vulnerability of the neighbourhood.
"This mosque is the heart of our community," expressed another resident. "Any threat to the area is a threat to us all. We need to know what happened and why."
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway to establish the origin and cause of the fire. The London Fire Brigade is also conducting its own assessment of the incident. As of now, details regarding the extent of the damage to surrounding properties are still emerging.
The incident has triggered a surge of community solidarity, with residents offering support and assistance to those potentially affected. Local community leaders have called for calm and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of unity during this unsettling time.
The community now awaits the findings of the investigations, hoping for clarity and reassurance in the wake of this disruptive and alarming event. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the close-knit nature of the Bethnal Green neighbourhood and the shared concern for the safety and well-being of all its residents.
A resident of the council building told the Daily Dazzling Dawn, 'It's heartbreaking. Old buildings need proper safety checks; many have no fire exits and are overcrowded. Lives shouldn't be at risk like this.
"A fire, believed to have originated from an e-bike battery, severely damaged all 18 flats of a residential building late Wednesday night, displacing dozens of residents. Emergency services responded to the blaze just before midnight, with eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters battling the flames. Seventeen people received on-site treatment from London Ambulance Service, and 11 were subsequently hospitalized. Firefighters, utilizing breathing apparatus and fire escape hoods, rescued seven individuals from the building. Witnesses reported hearing terrified screams, particularly from children, and observed the e-bike burning. Residents noted a strong community response, with neighbors supporting each other during the incident. The suspected cause is a faulty lithium battery from a second-hand electric bike.
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