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Dagenham flat fire

Shortly before noon on Wednesday 2 July 2008, a fire broke out in a top floor flat of a low-rise Council housing block in Gosfield Road, Dagenham.

The London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police all responded to the incident, extinguishing the fire and treating 4 casualties, one of whom was taken by air ambulance to specialist burns unit in London.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the London Fire Brigade.

Due to the size and nature of the incident, the Council implemented its emergency plan, bringing together the necessary Council officers and contributing to the coordination of the response.

Thanks to the rapid response of the emergency services, it was not necessary to completely evacuate the block, and only a few residents were asked to leave their homes. The evacuees were looked after by the Council at a nearby rest centre until the early evening.

Building control surveyors have now inspected the premises and have confirmed that there is limited structural damage to the block and no danger from asbestos. The flat, however, has been destroyed by fire.

As a result, most residents were able to return home yesterday evening, with the remainder placed in temporary accommodation by the Council.

Thursday 3 July 2008.

A fireman with residents of the housing block