Massive Fire Engulfs Dagenham Building; 225 Firefighters on Scene

London: A major fire has broken out in a mixed-use residential and commercial building on Freshwater Road in Dagenham, prompting a large-scale emergency response. The fire, which was reported at 2:44 am on Monday, has engulfed the entire structure, including the scaffolding surrounding the property and the roof, said London Fire Brigade (LFB) in a statement.

The LFB statement said, approximately 225 firefighters and 40 fire engines from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking, and nearby stations have been deployed to combat the blaze. London Fire Brigade (LFB) Commissioner Andy Roe declared a major incident to concentrate resources on the emergency. The first fire crew arrived at the scene within five minutes of the initial call, with additional crews and aerial appliances arriving shortly thereafter, it added.

Roe noted that the building had previously known fire safety issues and emphasized that a full evacuation was conducted immediately. The LFB has launched a significant search and rescue operation to ensure the safety of all occupants.

The fire is generating heavy smoke, leading local authorities to advise residents to keep their windows and doors closed. Freshwater Road has been closed to traffic, and the public is urged to avoid the area.

The LFB’s Control Officers have taken 16 emergency calls related to the fire, including providing essential fire survival guidance through the Fire Survival Guidance App. This app facilitates the exchange of critical information between control officers and on-ground incident commanders, ensuring timely and accurate communication.

To assist in managing the fire, new technology, including drones and high-reach turntable ladders, has been deployed. The 64-meter and 32-meter ladders are being used both to assess the situation from above and to direct water onto the flames.

A rest center has been established at Becontree Health and Leisure Centre, where LFB officers are stationed to support displaced residents. The fire is expected to be a protracted incident, with fire crews likely to remain on the scene throughout the day.

As of now, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing, said LFB in statement.

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