A huge fire broke out in a block of flats and offices near London’s Algate East underground station.
Gatekeepers News reports that no fewer than 125 firefighters in 20 vehicles rushed to the scene to quench the fire on the 17th floor of a high rise building on Whitechapel High Street in Aldgate, east London.
The London Fire Brigade said they received over 50 calls alerting them about the huge blaze inside the 21-storey building.
One eyewitness, known as Jamie, posted footage of the fire on Twitter and claimed ‘glass panels were falling to the ground’.
“Huge fire in Aldgate. Huge glass panels falling hundreds of metres to the ground, awful scenes,” Jamie wrote.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained but firefighters have mobilised a 64m ladder at the scene of the incident.
The London Ambulance Service was also at the scene and posted on Twitter: “We are responding to a fire on Whitechapel High Street with our emergency service colleagues.
“If you are in the local area, please try and stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed. More updates to follow.”
Posting live updates on their website, the London Fire Brigade wrote: “Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters have been called to a fire at a block of flats on Whitechapel High Street.
“Crews are tackling a fire on the 17th floor of the building. The Brigade’s 64m ladder has been mobilised to the incident.
“The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken more than 50 calls to the blaze. The Brigade was called at 1553.
“Fire crews from Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Dowgate, Bethnal Green, Dockhead, Old Kent Road, Islington and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.’
Tower Hamlets Council said it would support residents affected by the fire.
On Twitter, it said: “We’re supporting emergency services at the scene of the fire on Whitechapel High Street, Aldgate East and we are providing assistance to affected residents. Please follow for updates.”
