Flames and smoke billow from tower block as 70 firefighters battle blaze

A massive blaze at a residential block in Plaistow, east London, has led to ten fire engines and 70 firefighters rushing to the scene with thick smoke rising into the sky

A huge fire is ripping through a residential apartment block in east London with around 70 fire fighters at the scene.

Ten fire engines have been sent to the incident on Queens Road West in Plaistow, east London, this morning, London Fire Brigade said.

Traffic in the area will be affected as crews respond, the brigade said. Thick smoke can be seen billowing up into the sky with the focal point of the blaze on one of the higher floors.

Posting on X at 8:33am today, the London Fire Brigade said: "Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are responding to a fire at a residential block on Queens Road West in Plaistow. Traffic in the area will be impacted as crews respond. More information to follow."

Thirty people have been evacuated from the 15-storey tower block in East London after a fire on the tenth floor. Three men left the flat in Plaistow and are being treated by paramedics.

A full statement from the fire service read: "Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are responding to a flat fire on Queens Road West in Plaistow. The fire is located in a 10th floor flat, in a block of 15 floors, and the balcony and flat interior are currently alight.

"Three men left the flat before the Brigade arrived, and are being treated on scene by the London Ambulance Service. Around 30 people have been evacuated by the building.

"The Brigade's Control Officers have taken over 30 calls reporting the fire, with the first received at 0802. Firefighters from East Ham, Plaistow, Stratford and surrounding fire stations are currently at the scene. The cause of the fire is not yet known."