70 firefighters tackle blaze at Clapton residential block
The four-storey maisonette block caught fire around 8pm last night. Photograph: London Fire Brigade
Last night, 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a residential block fire near Mount Pleasant Lane in Clapton.
The London Fire Brigade began receiving calls around 8:04pm when crews from the Stoke Newington, Tottenham, and Homerton fire stations were mobilised.
One person was treated at the scene by emergency services. There were no other reports of injuries.
The fire involved a four-storey block of maisonettes. One maisonette spanning two floors was destroyed while five others were partly damaged, including damage to the external fascia and balcony of a flat on the second and third floors.
Locals were advised by firefighters to keep their windows and doors closed due to the significant amount of smoke produced by the fire. There were also a number of road closures.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 10:54pm.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but is not thought to have been started deliberately.
Ten fire engines were called to the Mount Pleasant Lane area in Clapton. Photograph: London Fire Brigade
Deputy assistant commissioner Chris Jenner, who is the commander for the North East area, said: “Crews were met with a well-developed fire, which was spreading. The conditions inside the maisonette that was mostly alight were challenging, and firefighters worked professionally and safely to bring this part of the fire under control as swiftly as possible.
“After arriving on scene, crews carried out a full search of the building. Several residents had already safely evacuated the building, with one person led to safety by firefighters.
“Working alongside the local authority and other agency partners, a rest centre was set up locally for around 20 displaced residents, who were supported by officers and our community engagement team.
“Some of those residents were able to return home overnight with those unable to return home left in the care of the local authority. Over the coming days, we will continue to engage with the local community and carry out home fire safety visits in the area.
“Firefighters have worked through the night to extinguish hotspots and a small number of crews remain on scene today.
“An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing by our Fire Investigation Team and the Metropolitan Police; however at this stage, we do not believe the fire was started deliberately.”