A MAN is reported to have died after plunging 40ft to escape a blaze in his family home. The blaze broke out on the fourth floor of Ellen Wilkinson House off Bethnal Green’s Roman Road.

By Mike Brooke

A MAN is reported to have died after plunging 40ft to escape a blaze in his family home.

The blaze broke out on the fourth floor of Ellen Wilkinson House off Bethnal Green’s Roman Road last night.

“He was badly burned from the fire when he jumped from the fourth floor,” London Fire Brigade watch manager Dave Carnegie told the East London Advertiser.

“He hurled himself from the window ledge to escape and landed in the communal gardens below.”

EXPLOSION

The man, in his 20s, was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. Police say they are waiting to speak to next of kin.

Eye witness Julia Lyubova, 28, said: “There was a big explosion and smoke everywhere. The fire was big.”

A team of six firefighters in breathing apparatus battled their way through flames and thick smoke searching for a child.

But the youngster was reported to have got out in time along with two women from the flat and a second man who was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.