Chingford fire: Woman dies in blaze at care home for people with learning disabilities

A woman has died after a fire at a care home for people with learning disabilities in northeast London.

More than 70 firefighters were called to Connington Crescent, Chingford, just before 2.15am on Friday.

At the fire's peak it had engulfed the whole of the roof of the three-storey building, as well as around half of the ground floor and the first floor.

London Fire Brigade said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. It said 12 people had left the three-storey block before firefighters arrived.

Pictures from the scene show flames pouring from the roof of the building, which houses Connington Court and Connington House.

Both are both run by Sequence Care and provide services to support adults with autism and other complex needs or behaviours, according to the Care Quality Commission.

The cause of the fire was not known.

Station manager Keith Wilson said: "Firefighters have been working hard to contain the spread of the fire which has destroyed the roof.

"Crews expect to be here into the day, tackling hot spots."