Blaze rips through tower block flat ‘with Grenfell-style cladding’ as 100 firefighters battle flames

A blaze has ripped through a London tower block which still has Grenfell-style cladding nearly four years after the tragedy, despite multiple warnings from locals. 

More than 125 firefighters in 20 vehicles spent the morning battling the blaze at New Providence Wharf, near Canary Wharf, in the east of the capital. It has now been extinguished.

London Ambulance Service said a ‘number of people’ have been treated, though the extent of their injuries is not yet known. 

Witnesses on social media reported that everyone inside the 19-storey building had been evacuated, with some claiming to have been allowed back inside their homes.

However, London Fire Brigade was unable to confirm details of the evacuation. 

Parts of the eighth, ninth and tenth floors sparked alight just before 9am, as dozens of firefighters scrambled to the block of apartments, which overlook the River Thames and the O2.  

Homeowners reportedly weren’t alerted to the blaze by the fire alarm for more than half an hour, with one resident claiming they only noticed when they woke up to the smell of smoke. 

Other witnesses reported seeing people ‘stuck on their balconies and shouting for help’ as dozens of people rushed to safety. 

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. 

Approximately 22% of the building’s facade features ACM PE cladding panels, which were found to be a key factor in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

Work to replace the cladding was ‘under way’ and the main contractor had been due to take possession of the site on Monday, according to building developer Ballymore.

But campaigners and local politicians have long issued warnings and called for it to be removed, after ministers pledged £200m for the aluminium composite material to be taken out from 170 privately-owned towers across the UK two years ago.

Some 125 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze after it broke out at around 9am

One hundred firefighters are battling an east London tower block fire, believed to have Grenfell-style cladding

One hundred firefighters are battling an east London tower block fire, believed to have Grenfell-style cladding

London Fire Brigade was called shortly before 9am and has been battling the fire ever since, with parts of the eighth, ninth and tenth floors alight

London Fire Brigade was called shortly before 9am and has been battling the fire ever since, with parts of the eighth, ninth and tenth floors alight

Emergency crews in some 20 fire engines are at the scene in New Providence Wharf, near Canary Wharf, after the blaze broke out this morning

Emergency crews in some 20 fire engines are at the scene in New Providence Wharf, near Canary Wharf, after the blaze broke out this morning

The fire broke out across three floors in the 19-storey tower block near Canary Wharf

The fire broke out across three floors in the 19-storey tower block near Canary Wharf

£5bn scheme for victims of cladding scandal – but only for buildings above 18m

Housing Minister Robert Jenrick was accused of a ‘betrayal of homeowners’ back in February when he confirmed they will get billions of pounds of taxpayers cash to replace dangerous cladding –  but only if they live in the tallest buildings.

The cabinet minister unveiled the long-awaited £5billion scheme for victims of the cladding scandal that emerged in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster.

But he revealed that only buildings above 18m tall – or six storeys – would have the cost of replacing the outside of the building covered by the Government.

The 19-storey tower block in east London is therefore covered by this, but there was outrage from campaigners as it emerged people living in shorter buildings will have to pay for the repairs themselves using a ‘long-term, low-interest’ loan scheme that will cap their costs at £50 a month. 

But the loan will remain with the property rather that the leaseholder, raising fears it will affect their ability to later sell it.

Additionally they and hundreds of thousands of people in the high-rise blocks will still be left to pay for other defects they did not cause. Many of the firms which applied the cladding have gone bust since Grenfell and will not have to pay a contribution.  

Developer Ballymore had previously said it would begin the work on site in April.

The Fire Brigades Union said today’s blaze ‘should shame this government’ and warned the ‘glacial’ pace of removing such cladding is ‘putting lives at risk’. 

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: ‘It is extremely alarming to see another high-rise building in the heart of London light up in flames. 

‘A huge thank you to the firefighters who responded and got the fire under control so quickly and our thoughts are with all of those affected.

‘It should shame this government that four years on from Grenfell there are people across the country living in buildings wrapped in flammable cladding. 

‘Time and time again we’ve warned that another Grenfell could be just around the corner unless they prioritise making people’s homes safe.

‘The pace of removing flammable cladding has been glacial and it’s putting people’s lives at risk. 

‘The government must intervene and take quick and decisive action to end our building safety crisis once and for all.’

The local MP for Poplar and Limehouse, Apsana Begum, said on social media how she recently met constituents at the block, who told her they felt ‘unsafe’ for more than two years, without receiving reports or surveys.

She also called on the developer to urgently address the situation, amid claims from locals that the building’s ‘waking watch’ – a person patrolling all floors and external areas to give warning in the event of a fire at the cost of £47,000 a month – failed to take action in time. 

The Labour MP told the Evening Standard: ‘For years now, constituents at New Providence Wharf, where there are 1,500 apartments, have been left vulnerable and unsafe due to numerous fire safety and building safety defects and that ACM cladding remains on these buildings.

‘The fire this morning shows just how serious this issue is and why constituents have been right to continue to raise alarm bells for so many months. My thoughts are with all my impacted constituents during this incredibly difficult time. 

‘The developer Ballymore have promised action but to date, constituents have not received information on fire engineer reports and details of any remediation works.’

A spokesman for Ballymore said: ‘Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this morning’s fire at New Providence Wharf. 

‘The safety of our residents is paramount and we are working closely with the London Fire Brigade.

‘We can confirm that the fire was quickly brought under control by the Fire Brigade and is now extinguished. 

‘Our response team are on-site to support residents and assist with alternative accommodation where necessary.

‘We will update once we have more information.’ 

The developer told the East London Advertiser earlier this year: ‘To replace elements of a facade under these circumstances is an extensive process.

‘We have a project team in place which has already committed months of work to arrive at a workable and cost-effective solution.’ 

The project was described as being ‘well underway’ and the company anticipating at the time that work on site would begin around April.

However, MailOnline understands the main contractor was only due to begin removal of the cladding this coming Monday. 

The End Our Cladding Scandal campaign group tweeted: ‘We hope all victims of the fire in New Providence Wharf are okay. 

‘Grenfell was almost 4 years ago. How is it acceptable that works on some of the UK’s most dangerous buildings haven’t even begun?’

‘It’s only a matter of time before this happens again.’

The block is part of the New Providence Wharf development, described as ‘a riverside community of more than 1000 luxury homes’. 

Estate agents add: ‘Each home in this nine-story tower boasts an unparalleled view of some of the Docklands most celebrated landmarks including Canary Wharf and the O2.’ 

Pictures and videos on social media show part of the building engulfed in flames, with thick grey smoke pouring out of the block, several stories high.

Firefighters inspect the damage at New Providence Wharf on Fairmont Avenue in Poplar in east London

Firefighters inspect the damage at New Providence Wharf on Fairmont Avenue in Poplar in east London

New Providence Wharf in London (right), where the London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to on Friday morning to reports of a fire

New Providence Wharf in London (right), where the London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to on Friday morning to reports of a fire

The block is part of the New Providence Wharf development, described as 'a riverside community of more than 1000 luxury homes'

The block is part of the New Providence Wharf development, described as ‘a riverside community of more than 1000 luxury homes’

The development in Poplar, east London overlooks the River Thames and the O2

The development in Poplar, east London overlooks the River Thames and the O2

The fire comes just days after the Government’s post-Grenfell fire safety regulations, which campaigners argue could leave leaseholders paying tens of thousands of pounds to remove cladding on their buildings.

The LFB said: ‘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.’

The ambulance service said it has sent a ‘number of resources’ to the scene.

A spokesman said: ‘They have treated a number of people, and remain at the scene, where they are working with other emergency services.’ 

Earlier this year, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick was accused of a ‘betrayal of homeowners’ when he confirmed they will get billions of pounds of taxpayers cash to replace dangerous cladding –  but only if they live in the tallest buildings.

The cabinet minister unveiled the long-awaited £5billion scheme for victims of the cladding scandal that emerged in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster.

But he revealed that only buildings above 18m tall – or six storeys – would have the cost of replacing the outside of the building covered by the Government.

The 19-storey tower block in east London is therefore covered by this, but there was outrage from campaigners as it emerged people living in shorter buildings will have to pay for the repairs themselves using a ‘long-term, low-interest’ loan scheme that will cap their costs at £50 a month. 

But the loan will remain with the property rather that the leaseholder, raising fears it will affect their ability to later sell it.

Additionally they and hundreds of thousands of people in the high-rise blocks will still be left to pay for other defects they did not cause. Many of the firms which applied the cladding have gone bust since Grenfell and will not have to pay a contribution.