London tower block residents tell of ‘pandemonium’ as they fled fatal fire on 17th floorAn investigation into the blaze in Poplar is under way, London Fire Brigade saysThe fire broke out on the 17th floor of the tower blockFacebookMichael Howie, Senior News Editor|Megan Howe, News Reporter1 minute ago
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Residents in a London tower block have told of the “pandemonium” as they fled a fire on the 17th floor in which a man died.
Around 70 firefighters and ten fire engines were called to a Neutron Tower on Blackwall Way in Poplar early on Saturday morning.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said two adults and a child were rescued from the burning apartment wearing oxygen masks.
In an updated statement, the LFB confirmed a man had died in the blaze at the 22-storey block.
The brigade said 50 residents were evacuated.
Some of those evacuated told BBC London they were alerted by neighbours banging on their doors in the early hours of Saturday.
Katarzyna, who lives on the fifth floor, said: “A neighbour from the 19th floor, she smelled the smoke from her apartment.
“I heard someone shouting from outside and the neighbours from the 19th floor were outside shouting, ‘fire, fire, out’.
“We grabbed our passports and got out – it was pandemonium and my husband was banging on all the doors on the fifth floor to alert neighbours.
“The staircase was pitch black when we walked down, there was no emergency lighting.”
Katarzyna, who lives with her husband and two children, said: “We have smoke and heat alarms in our flats, they did not go off.”
Priya Armstrong-Pond, who lives on the seventh floor, told BBC London there had been flooding in the building on Friday.
“Around 5pm, I got a call saying there was water on the stairs and the landing – it was like torrential rain but inside.
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“After that there was no water for roughly six hours, but they kept the electric on the whole time. It was on in my flat but not in the communal areas – and all the lifts had water in them as well.”
She said she was woken by her next-door neighbour at around 4.30am on Saturday.
“He woke up and could hear shouting, so he knocked on everyone’s doors,” she said. “My neighbour was banging the door, there were no fire alarms going off.
“When we came out there was no lighting at all in the landing and nothing on the stairs. No concierge was there, no one was there to help us.
“By the time we all got downstairs, the whole [17th floor] flat was burnt out and the balcony was all gone.”
FirstPort said it was “deeply saddened” by the man’s death.
“Our immediate priority remains the safety of residents,” it told BBC London.
“All residents have been contacted, and our teams have been providing direct support since the incident, including arranging temporary accommodation where required.
“Our on-site team continues to support those affected and we will keep residents updated as further information becomes available and plans are made for their safe return home.”
The Standard has contacted FirstPort for comment.
The LFB said: “There are a range of factors that are being investigated regarding the cause of the fire by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Team.”
Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a resident following the fire incident at Blackwall Way.
“My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
“My sincere thanks to LFB, Police, our councillors, and the Mayor’s Office for supporting residents.
“I will be seeking assurances from the relevant housing association that robust fire safety measures are in place to keep residents safe.”
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