Smoke billows over East End as 58 firefighters tackle East London tower block blaze

FIREFIGHTERS have rushed to tackle a huge fire that has broken out at a London tower block in Mile End.

                                    London tower block blaze: 58 firefighters are battling the fire

Eight fire engines and around 58 firefighter have responded to the scene in Wellington Way, Mile End in east London.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said half of a flat on the 12th floor of a tower block has been engulfed.

Just before 1pm LFB on Twitter added: “Firefighters are working hard at the scene of the flat fire in Mile End.”

Footage from the scene taken by a witness shows thick grey smoke billowing from the side of the tower block.

Meanwhile pictures shared on social show flames shooting out from the windows of a flat on the 12th floor.

More than 90 calls were made to the 999 after the fire broke out in the Mile End flat at 12.30pm.
Around 44 people were evacuated from the building and a further two people were led to safety.
One Twitter user tweeted: “Can see what looks like a terrible fire in a building in Bow / Mile End, hope everyone is ok.”

While another reported seeing the tower block on fire while she was sitting on the London Tube near Bow Road and Mile End.

It is unclear what sparked the fire but crews from Bethnal Green, Shadwell, Stratford and Whitechapel are in attendance.

Police have cordoned off part of Wellington Way to the public and are urging residents to make their way to the nearby Merchant Street community centre for advice.

There have been no reports of injuries and the cause of the fire is being investigated.
Around 30 minutes after the fire broke out, witnesses reported seeing the flames and smoke subsiding.

The latest update from the London Fire Brigade's Twitter account said the fire is now "under control".

A London Fire Brigade statement said: “Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers have been called to a flat fire in Wellington Way, Mile End.

“Half of a flat on the 12th floor is alight.

“The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken more than 90 calls to the fire.
“The Brigade was called at 1228. Fire crews from Bethnal Green, Shadwell, Stratford, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

                    Fire crews from Bethnal Green, Shadwell, Stratford and Whitechapel rushed to the scene at Mile End

“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.”

Meanwhile East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has been attending a serious fire in Playden near Rye, where around 70 people were evacuated from two domestic properties, one of which was well alight.

Six fire engines were at the scene and people were being asked to avoid the area and stay away from the smoke.

One person has been treated for smoke inhalation and is being looked after by the ambulance service, and the evacuated residents were taken to a local school.