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Firefighters tackle blaze after explosion at east London block of flats Two arrested following explosion at east London block of flats
(about 4 hours later)
About 60 firefighters are tackling a large blaze in a residential block of flats in east London after an explosion. Two men have been arrested following an explosion at a block of flats in east London.
At least five people have been injured, police have confirmed. Four people were taken by London ambulance service to an east London hospital while another person presented themselves at hospital with injuries. Police said the two men, who had both been taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries, were arrested on suspicion of arson. No further details on the men have been released.
A spokesman for the London fire brigade said: “There is a large fire still going on. We have 10 fire engines and 60 firefighters at the scene.” About 60 firefighters rushed to the scene to tackle a large blaze that took hold in a residential block of flats in Hornchurch after the blast.
The fire service was called to Southend Arterial Road, Hornchurch , shortly after 5pm on Monday. They confirmed an explosion took place on the ground floor of a residential building, which has three floors. At least five people were injured, police confirmed. Four people were taken by London ambulance service to an east London hospital while another person presented themselves at hospital with injuries.
The fire service was called to Southend Arterial Road shortly after 5pm on Monday. They confirmed an explosion took place on the ground floor of a residential building, which has three floors.
A spokesman for the London fire brigade said they had 10 fire engines and 60 firefighters at the scene.
A London ambulance service spokeswoman said: “We sent a number of resources to the scene including three ambulance crews … The first of our medics arrived in under five minutes. We have now treated four patients at the scene and taken them all to hospital. We remain on scene.”A London ambulance service spokeswoman said: “We sent a number of resources to the scene including three ambulance crews … The first of our medics arrived in under five minutes. We have now treated four patients at the scene and taken them all to hospital. We remain on scene.”
She said they did not know if anyone else was still inside the building. A Metropolitan police spokeswoman said: “At this early stage, officers are unable to confirm the cause of the explosion but enquires are under way and officers continue to liaise with the fire brigade.
A Metropolitan police spokeswoman said: “We await an update as to the number of people injured. At this early stage officers are unable to confirm the cause of the explosion but inquiries are under way.” “Residents have been evacuated from the building. The local authority has been informed and is also on scene.”
Transport for London said the A127 Southend Arterial Road was shut between Ardleigh Green Road and Bryant Avenue.Transport for London said the A127 Southend Arterial Road was shut between Ardleigh Green Road and Bryant Avenue.
Jason Smedley, 46, managing director of Nail Harmony UK, close to the building, said he was in his office when the explosion happened. “We felt the whole building shake,” he said, adding that he could soon see “flames billowing”.Jason Smedley, 46, managing director of Nail Harmony UK, close to the building, said he was in his office when the explosion happened. “We felt the whole building shake,” he said, adding that he could soon see “flames billowing”.
Smedley said the front of the flats had been “blown out” across the road. “We pulled people back and told them to get out of the way,” he said, adding that he and his staff brought people back to their office to give them shelter.Smedley said the front of the flats had been “blown out” across the road. “We pulled people back and told them to get out of the way,” he said, adding that he and his staff brought people back to their office to give them shelter.
“Unfortunately there was a woman and her daughter, [who] were in the flat above, [who] heard the explosion, ran out, and we brought them back ... [They] had just their dressing gowns on, so we just gave them tea and blankets. They’ve got nowhere to live tonight,” he said.“Unfortunately there was a woman and her daughter, [who] were in the flat above, [who] heard the explosion, ran out, and we brought them back ... [They] had just their dressing gowns on, so we just gave them tea and blankets. They’ve got nowhere to live tonight,” he said.
A Havering council spokesman said most residents went to a local McDonald’s restaurant after being evacuated, adding that measures would be put in place to ensure they had somewhere to stay.
The council spokesman said the explosion came from a ground floor corner flat and that 41 flats had been evacuated, with many residents staying with family and friends.