Seventeen people were treated and eleven were rushed to hospital after a devastating late-night fire tore through a residential building in Bethnal Green, East London.
The blaze broke out at Bradbeer House on Cornwall Avenue just before midnight on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, prompting a major response from emergency services. The fire is believed to have been sparked by a charging electric bike, with investigations ongoing.
https:///youtu.be/VR353iel_2I
A London Ambulance Service (LAS) spokesperson confirmed today:
“We were called at 11.38pm yesterday (9 April) to reports of a fire in Cornwall Avenue, Bethnal Green. We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team. We treated 17 patients in total. We took 11 patients to hospital and six patients were cared for and discharged at the scene.”
Firefighter Injured During Rescue Efforts
One London Fire Brigade firefighter was also injured while rescuing residents and battling the blaze and was among those taken to hospital. Their condition has not yet been disclosed.
https:///youtu.be/upHfQNZLlC8
E-Bike Battery Believed to Be the Cause
Early witness reports suggest the fire may have been caused by lithium batteries from electric bikes being charged inside a flat. Social media comments indicate that up to 14 batteries may have been stored in the affected property.
Full-Scale Emergency Response
The London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police, and London Ambulance Service were on the scene within minutes. Police officers were seen running into the burning building, helping evacuate residents from the 18 affected flats.
A crime scene remains in place, and the LFB and police are conducting a joint investigation into the incident.
Residents Evacuated, Emergency Housing Provided
Displaced residents have been temporarily rehoused by Tower Hamlets Council, after criticism was directed at the building’s housing provider, Clarion Housing, by affected locals.
One resident posted online:
“We all have just been allocated a hotel all thanks to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council. Our housing provider, Clarion, is a disgrace.”
Community Concerns
The incident has reignited safety concerns surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters in high-density housing. The LFB has repeatedly warned of the dangers posed by poorly maintained or unofficially modified lithium-ion batteries.
Residents are urged to follow LFB safety guidance and contact local authorities if they have concerns about e-bike charging practices in their buildings.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Met Police or London Fire Brigade.
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Cornwall Avenue in Bethnal Green.
Part of three flats on the ground, first and second floors of the residential block were damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used fire escape hoods to rescue seven people from the building. 17 people were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews and 11 of those people were taken to hospital.
London firefighters were among the first in the UK to carry fire escape hoods when they were introduced in 2018 as part of improvements following the Grenfell Tower fire. The hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.
The Brigade’s Control Officers took 36 calls to the fire and gave vital fire survival guidance advice to three residents on how to stay safe before firefighters arrived.
The Brigade was called at 2338 and the fire was under control by 0105. Fire crews from Shadwell, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Poplar and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
