Massive Blaze Rips Through Ninth Floor of East London Tower Block
A huge fire erupted late Saturday night at Gayton House, a 19-storey tower block on Chiltern Road in Bow, East London. Firefighters scrambled to the scene after dozens of residents fled the flames themselves.
70 Firefighters and 10 Engines Battle Fierce Flames
The London Fire Brigade dispatched 70 firefighters and ten fire engines to tackle the inferno roaring through a flat on the ninth floor. Called at 10:33pm, crews arrived to find the entire flat engulfed in flames.
- A 64-metre-long turntable ladder and two command units were also deployed.
- Firefighters set up a bridgehead control within the block to coordinate efforts.
- Teams in breathing apparatus and wielding hose reels entered the building to search for anyone inside.
- Several flats on the affected floor were evacuated as fire crews worked to contain the blaze.
Residents Self-Evacuate As Fire Breaks Out
Around 50 residents fled the block before the fire brigade arrived, while others stayed put in unaffected flats. The brigade’s 999 Control received 22 calls reporting the visible blaze.
Fire Under Control in Just Over an Hour
Thanks to the swift response, the fire was under control by 11:49pm, just over an hour after being reported. Fire crews from Stratford and nearby stations joined the operation.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a flat fire on Chiltern Road in Bow. The whole of the flat on the ninth floor is alight. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
Investigations remain ongoing to determine what sparked the dramatic blaze.
