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Updated: two in hospital as fire breaks out at east London development with Grenfell-style cladding
More than 40 people, including four children, have been treated by ambulance crews following a fire at a development in east London that is covered in the same type of cladding as Grenfell Tower.
More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines attended the scene to tackle the blaze, which pictures from the scene showed engulfing multiple floors at one of the blocks in the New Providence Wharf development in Poplar, east London.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire is now under control, however two men have been taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, while a further 38 adults and four children were treated at the scene.
A representative from Ballymore, which owns the building, said the cause of the fire was still undetermined, however it could confirm that the ACM cladding on the building did not combust and played no part in causing or facilitating the fire.
The 559-home development, owned by Ballymore, is one of the remaining high rises in the UK that is still covered in ACM cladding, almost four years after the fire at Grenfell Tower. Work is yet to start on the block, which has approximately a quarter of its external wall covered in ACM.
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There has been an ongoing debate over who should pay for remediation work at the development. Inside Housing recently reported that Ballymore has committed to paying £1.5m towards the cost of remediation and had £8m worth of grant funding approved by the government through its ACM Cladding Fund and Building Safety Fund.
Ballymore has previously said that work to replace ACM cladding on the building is “extremely complicated” due to its shape, size and location. In a statement to Inside Housing last month, the developer said that residents’ safety was “paramount” and that work would be starting April.
It is understood the main contractor for the remediation work was due to take possession of the site this coming Monday.
The LFB 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 08.55am. 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.”
Firefighters tackling a blaze at New Providence Wharf in Tower Hamlets this morning. Talks to remove the flammable ACM cladding the private development is covered in have been going on for more than two years nowpic.twitter.com/p5n7493tXp
— Rachael Burford (@RachaelBurford)Firefighters tackling a blaze at New Providence Wharf in Tower Hamlets this morning. Talks to remove the flammable ACM cladding the private development is covered in have been going on for more than two years nowpic.twitter.com/p5n7493tXp
— Rachael Burford (@RachaelBurford) May 7, 2021
A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 9.05am this morning to reports of a fire on Fairmont Avenue, E14.
“We have sent a number of resources, including ambulance crews, clinical team managers, an incident response officer, a command support vehicle, an emergency planning and resilience officer, and our hazardous area response teams. They have treated a number of people and remain at the scene, where they are working with other emergency services.”
A statement from Ballymore said: "At approximately 9am on Friday May 7, a fire broke out in an apartment on the 8th floor of a building in the New Providence Wharf development. Thanks to the rapid and professional response of the London Fire Brigade the fire was quickly contained, with all residents evacuated from the building in a timely manner, in accordance with the building’s fire safety protocols. Due to the fire brigade response and to the performance of the fire safety systems on the building, the fire damage was contained to one apartment and to two balconies of apartments above. Although we expect most residents to return to their homes this evening, Ballymore is providing accommodation in a nearby hotel for those who require it.
"We understand how difficult and distressing today has been for our residents and we are grateful for the patience they have demonstrated. Our response team on the ground will continue to support them in any way we can.
"The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and we continue to work closely with the London Fire Brigade during their investigations. We can however confirm that the ACM cladding on the building did not combust and played no part in causing or facilitating the fire.
"Enabling works to remove the ACM cladding have been underway for two weeks prior to today’s incident. The works will recommence as soon as possible."
Update: at 5.19pm, 07.05.21 This story was updated to include the latest statement from Ballymore.
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