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Beckton blaze: Boy, 16, arrested after girl dies in flat fire | Beckton blaze: Boy, 16, arrested after girl dies in flat fire |
(32 minutes later) | |
A 14-year-old girl died and five other people were injured in the blaze | A 14-year-old girl died and five other people were injured in the blaze |
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 14-year-old girl died in a fire at a block of flats in east London. | A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 14-year-old girl died in a fire at a block of flats in east London. |
The girl was found in a second-floor flat that was damaged in the blaze in Tollgate Road, Beckton, at about 17:30 BST on Thursday. | The girl was found in a second-floor flat that was damaged in the blaze in Tollgate Road, Beckton, at about 17:30 BST on Thursday. |
Five people were also injured but have since been discharged from hospital, Scotland Yard said. | Five people were also injured but have since been discharged from hospital, Scotland Yard said. |
Detectives said they were treating the fire as arson. | Detectives said they were treating the fire as arson. |
Eyewitness Rahina Begum said the flames "went up very quickly, within a few seconds". | |
Ms Begum, who lives opposite the flats, added: "In 10 to 15 seconds the whole building was on fire, from the bottom to the top. | |
"The flames were so high. Somebody dying is so sad." | |
A second neighbour, who did not wish to be named, described seeing people jump from the building to try to escape. | |
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the stairwell from the ground floor to the second floor was destroyed by flames. | London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the stairwell from the ground floor to the second floor was destroyed by flames. |
It said firefighters discovered the teenage girl in a flat on the second floor, half of which was badly damaged. | |
She was pronounced dead at the scene. | |
At the scene | At the scene |
Harry Low, BBC London News | Harry Low, BBC London News |
Throughout the day, people have been laying floral tributes close to this small block flats. | Throughout the day, people have been laying floral tributes close to this small block flats. |
Many of them hug as they do so, visibly upset by what has happened here. | Many of them hug as they do so, visibly upset by what has happened here. |
Passers-by stop to a look at the largely windowless second floor. | Passers-by stop to a look at the largely windowless second floor. |
Police forensics teams have been assessing the scene for clues as to what might have caused the fire they are now treating as arson. | Police forensics teams have been assessing the scene for clues as to what might have caused the fire they are now treating as arson. |
The police cordon has expanded, along with the number of emergency service personnel, as the seriousness with which this is being taken becomes apparent. | The police cordon has expanded, along with the number of emergency service personnel, as the seriousness with which this is being taken becomes apparent. |
Tollgate Road is cordoned off and restrictions are in place on surrounding roads | Tollgate Road is cordoned off and restrictions are in place on surrounding roads |
Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters responded to the call at 17:24 and had the fire under control at 18:33, LFB said. | |
London Ambulance Service said five ambulance crews and the air ambulance attended the scene. | |
Tollgate Road remains cordoned off and restrictions are in place on surrounding roads. | |
'Shockwaves in communities' | |
Ch Supt Simon Crick said his thoughts were with the girl's family and friends. | Ch Supt Simon Crick said his thoughts were with the girl's family and friends. |
"Incidents such as these send shockwaves through our communities and I don't underestimate the impact this will have in the local area and beyond," he said. | "Incidents such as these send shockwaves through our communities and I don't underestimate the impact this will have in the local area and beyond," he said. |
Det Ch Insp Joanna Yorke urged anyone with information to contact the force immediately. | Det Ch Insp Joanna Yorke urged anyone with information to contact the force immediately. |
Detectives are treating the incident as arson | Detectives are treating the incident as arson |
The cause of the fire is being investigated by LFB and Met Police. | The cause of the fire is being investigated by LFB and Met Police. |
LFB's borough commander for Newham, Richard Arnold, said crews would remain in the area and offer support and advice to residents. | LFB's borough commander for Newham, Richard Arnold, said crews would remain in the area and offer support and advice to residents. |
"This was a very tragic incident and our crews who attended the scene are receiving support from our counselling and trauma service," he added. | "This was a very tragic incident and our crews who attended the scene are receiving support from our counselling and trauma service," he added. |
Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
London | London |
Beckton | Beckton |