The building is covered in the same cladding used on Grenfell Tower
Firefighters in east London are battling a huge blaze that has broken out at a tower block.
The Metro reports that fire crews were rushed to New Providence Wharf, near Canary Wharf, on Friday morning. 20 fire engines are reportedly at the scene.
The building is thought to be covered in the same type of cladding that was used on Grenfell Tower,
🚨 20 fire engines on the scene of a fire at New Providence Wharf in East London this morning.
The building’s still covered in ACM cladding – the same type as was on Grenfell. Awaiting updates. @LBC pic.twitter.com/vvKaNzxTUW
— Rachael Venables (@rachaelvenables) May 7, 2021
The London Fire Brigade said: “Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters have been called to a fire at a block of flats on Fairmont Avenue in Poplar.
“Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a 19-storey block. Parts of the eighth, ninth and 10th floors are alight. The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken 13 calls to the fire.
“The Brigade was called at 0855. Fire crews from Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, Plaistow, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.”
Back in January, it was reported by the East London Advertiser that the building was still covered in the dangerous cladding despite calls for years for it to be removed.
One resident of the building tweeted: “LFB showed up with a truck with ladder and hose too short to reach 8th floor – for a Grenfell-clad building!!! Took half an hour to get a proper truck by which time had spread four floors. People trapped on balconies unable to escape due to smoke.”
Another reportedly said that “no alarm went off for over 30 mins” and that they “woke up to the smell of smoke” in their flat.
LFB showed up with a truck with ladder and hose too short to reach 8th floor – for a Grenfell-clad building!!! Took half an hour to get a proper truck by which time had spread four floors. People trapped on balconies unable to escape due to smoke
— Natalie Carter (@nat77splat) May 7, 2021
Message from a resident: "No alarm went off for over 30 minutes post the fire. Woke up to the smell of smoke in the flat."
Do send me a DM if you live there/ are in the area.
— Rachael Venables (@rachaelvenables) May 7, 2021
Others commenting on the footage of the fire have also claimed that no alarms in the building went off.
June will mark the four-year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower disaster. It is heartbreaking that it seems very little real-world change has come about despite the tragedy of four years ago.
