Residents were trapped in their homes when a fire broke out in a block of flats in Poplar yesterday.
Four fire engines were called to Coldharbour at 3.44pm to a blaze on the first floor.
Firefighters told the block’s occupants to remain in their flats while they battled the fire, which damaged the entire first floor lobby.
Crews from Poplar, Bethnal Green, Whitechapel and Millwall stations managed to get it under control by 4.27pm, but the cause is not yet known.
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “If there is a fire elsewhere in the building but not inside your home you’re usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.
“If you leave your flat you could be rushing into choking smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building.”
Read more:
£6,000 worth of heroin and cannabis seized in Isle of Dogs drugs raid
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here