‘Everyone safe’ after high-rise fire

ALL residents were safely evacuated from a high-rise building where a flat caught fire, a housing association has said.

Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters were called to the blaze in Wellington Way, Mile End, at 12.28pm yesterday.

Half of a 12th floor flat was alight, leaving four storeys of the outside of the building scorched, but the blaze was under control by 1.51pm, the London Fire Brigade said.

About 40 people left the Grafton House building before firefighters arrived.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, and is being investigated.

East End Homes, the housing association responsible for the block, said there were no injuries and all residents had been safely evacuated.

“Everybody is safe. Some residents have gone to a nearby community centre where they are getting support and refreshments,” a spokeswoman said.

She was unable to confirm whether anyone would need rehousing as a result of the fire.

Tower Hamlets Council said it would offer support.

The London Ambulance Service said medics checked three people at the scene and they did not need hospital treatment.