100 Firefighters Tackle Fire As London Flats Erupt In Flames

More than 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines have responded after a fire broke out at a block of flats in east London.

Footage shared online shows smoke pouring from the top floor windows of the building, which is located on Manwood Street in North Woolwich.

The cause of the fire has not yet been announced to the public, but it comes as firefighters simultaneously worked to tackle a blaze involving around one hectare of grass opposite the block, which is close to London City Airport.

Commenting on the incident, a spokesperson for London Fire Brigade revealed the emergency service's 999 operators have taken 'more than 105 calls' about the blaze since it broke out today (20 July).

They said: “The brigade was called at 12:49. Fire crews from Shadwell, Dowgate, Dockhead, Shoreditch and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is now known at this time.”

The London Ambulance Service has also assured it has sent 'a number of resources to the scene', including advanced paramedics and its hazardous area response team.

One member of public in the area posted on Twitter that the smell of smoke was 'so so strong', adding: "Hoping everyone got out."

The fire comes just one day after the UK recorded its hottest temperatures ever, with the heat exceeding 40°C in London and fuelling fires which occurred in numerous parts of London.

London Fire Brigade reported its busiest day since the end of the Second World War with more than 2,600 emergency calls received on Tuesday (20 July) alone. For comparison, the service typically receives between 350 and 500 calls per day.

More than 40 properties were destroyed in a number of blazes, including two rows of terraced houses, four detached and semi-detached houses and six garages.

In the wake of the incident, London Mayor Sadiq Khan stressed the importance of recognising the impacts of climate change.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: "It is really important for us to recognise that one of the consequences of climate change and these sorts of temperatures is the sort of fires we are seeing. The challenge in London is we have got a lot of grass. A lot of green spaces but a lot of it infringes on properties.

“We have not had rain for a long period, the grass is incredibly dry and fires can start very quickly and spread even faster because of wind."