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Barking fire: Investigation launched after blaze destroys 20 flats in east London

An investigation has been launched after a fire caused extensive damage to a block of flats in east London.

Twenty flats were destroyed by fire and a further 10 were damaged by heat and smoke.

One man and one woman were treated at the scene after suffering from smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

The blaze, which has been brought under control, affected the ground floor to the sixth floor of the building in Barking.

Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to the flats on De Pass Gardens at 3.31pm, as people were evacuated from their homes. The blaze was under control by 6.04pm.

Fire crews from Barking, Dagenham, East Ham and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

Residents were evacuated from the building after six floors went up in flames - Credit: @SyeddIslam/PA
Residents were evacuated from the building after six floors went up in flames Credit: @SyeddIslam/PA

Roads were closed off to the public as emergency services worked to put out the fire.

The cause of the fire is not known and an investigation has been launched.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at 3.32pm today to a fire in De Pass Gardens, in Barking.

"We sent two ambulance crews, two solo responders and our Hazardous Area Response Team. We have a tactical adviser and our command support vehicle at the scene. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

"There are no reports of any injuries at the moment."

Station manager Andy Maloney said: "Crews worked really hard to put the fire out.

"Any residents who are affected by the fire are advised to go to the rest centre at Thames View Community Centre on Bastable Road. Transport is available from De Pass Gardens to take people there."

A spokesman for the L&Q Group, which oversaw the regeneration project in east London, said: "This property was built by a private company and is now owned by a private landlord. As we have a large presence in the area, we have arranged for staff to open up our local office so we can assist residents."

Social media users rushed to show their support for those affected by the fire.

Some suggested residents had previously complained that the use of wood on the flats was unsafe.

One person wrote: "My heart is absolutely shattered on seeing the fire in Barking Riverside - despite the residents complaining on the use of wood on the flats being dangerous."

Firefighters extinguishing the blaze at the block of flats in east London
Firefighters extinguishing the blaze at the block of flats in east London

Another person claimed that the company which built the block of flats had assured residents that the wood cladding was fire retardant.

Peter Mason, chair of the Barking Reach residents’ association, told the Guardian that he contacted the builder Bellway Homes last month to ask for the fire risk to be investigated after BBC Watchdog reported claims of fire safety problems at two other developments.

He was told not to worry, according to an email seen by the newspaper, saying the construction method was different to the ones in the report.

A spokesperson for Bellway told the newspaper: “We are taking the matter very seriously and working with all parties to help in establishing the cause of the fire.”

The blaze comes two years after the inferno at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, which killed 72 people and left many more homeless.

Grenfell United, an organisation which supports those affected by the tragedy, tweeted last night: "Thoughts and prayers with everyone affected by Barking fire. We hope everyone is safe. So difficult to see this!

"Residents affected will need to be looked after & Council must offer safe accommodation for people affected tonight."

UK Cladding Action Group said: "Our thoughts are with those affected by this awful fire in Barking."

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