Upper Clapton fire: Woman rescued as blaze destroys balconies at block of flats overlooking Millfields Park
Firefighters at the scene of the fire in Upper Clapton. Picture: @LondonFire - Credit: Archant
A woman was rescued by firefighters after a fire broke out in an Upper Clapton block overlooking Millfields Park late last night.
The balconies from the ground to the fifth floor of the block in Harry Zeital Way were destroyed in the blaze.
Twelve fire engines and some 80 firefighters were sent to the scene at about 10.40pm.
Videos posted on social media show the fire spreading up the face of the building as people scream: "Get out!".
BBC journalist Georgina Rannard tweeted: "Large bang as top floor windows and perhaps gas explodes - residents being pushed further and further back from the cordon".
The block of flats the morning after the blaze destroyed balconies. Picture: Ana Cross - Credit: Archant
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Crews tackled the blaze, which damaged a fifth-floor flat and the roof of the block, from Millfields Park.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led a woman to safety from the first floor, and luckily no one was injured.
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The fire was under control by 1.40am but firefighters have remained on scene into the morning.
It comes four years after a fire engulfed another block in the same development.
Hackney mayor Phil Glanville said: "Our thoughts are with those who were evacuated last night, and we're grateful to the London Fire Brigade, whose brave work meant no one was seriously hurt.
"The council's emergency planning team kept me informed and worked with the LFB overnight to make sure all residents in the block were safe. Most residents stayed with friends or family, but the council set up a rest centre nearby for affected residents.
"I visited the block today with local councillors and met with residents on site and at the rest centre. We remain in close contact with the LFB and the managers of the block, who I'm told are arranging temporary accommodation for those who need it.
"We're still waiting for confirmation from the Met and LFB about when people will be able to return to their home and how many people will be displaced or for how long.
"It is too early to speculate on the causes of the fire, but we will work with all involved to support the investigation and any implications that may come from it."
Crews from Stoke Newington, Homerton, Bethnal Green, Islington, Holloway, Shoreditch and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
