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A massive fire broke out in a block of flats on Leman Street in Aldgate, east London, on Sunday evening, prompting an urgent response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB). Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were dispatched to the scene after flames were seen engulfing two separate flats, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky.
The LFB confirmed they were called just before 6pm. Upon arrival, crews found one flat on the fifth floor fully alight, with part of a second flat on the seventh floor also ablaze. Thanks to swift action by firefighters, 11 people were led to safety. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries at this stage.
Fire crews were mobilised from multiple stations, including Whitechapel, Shadwell, Shoreditch, Dowgate, and Bethnal Green. A 64-metre turntable ladder was deployed as an observation tower to give incident commanders a clear vantage point.
Borough Commander Lucy Macleod said: “Crews acted swiftly to bring the fire under control, but will remain on site this evening to damp down remaining hotspots.” She added that road closures are in place and the surrounding area is experiencing significant traffic congestion. The public has been urged to avoid the area while emergency teams continue working to secure the site.
Eyewitness Khaja Naseer, 44, captured footage of the fire from his window. He said his children were playing on the sofa when they noticed smoke rising from the building across the street. He believes the fire was under control by around 8pm.
The London Ambulance Service also responded to the incident. A spokesperson confirmed: “We were called at 6.28pm on Sunday 20 April to reports of a fire in Leman Street, E1. We sent resources to the scene, including members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Tactical Response Unit, and an incident response officer. Our crews assisted other emergency services but were later stood down when it was determined there were no patients requiring treatment.”
While the fire has now been contained, the cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Investigations are ongoing.
The fire started in a fifth-floor flat and spread to part of a seventh-floor flat.Eleven people were led to safety by fire crews. No injuries have been reported.Fire crews remain on site to damp down hotspots.
