Aldgate tower block incident: Roads closed by fire brigade with steam billowing out of building

It comes just weeks after a fire ripped through several floors of an Aldgate tower block, which saw 125 firefighters battling the blaze on the 17th floor.
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The fire brigade has closed several roads in Aldgate after steam could be seen billowing out of the top of a tower block.

Dozens of firefighters are investigating the incident in Commercial Road, near the City.

Firefighters at Commercial Road, Aldgate. Photo: LWFirefighters at Commercial Road, Aldgate. Photo: LW
Firefighters at Commercial Road, Aldgate. Photo: LW
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It comes just weeks after a fire ripped through several floors of an Aldgate tower block, which saw 125 firefighters battling the blaze on the 17th floor.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters have been alerted and sent to the area.

Station commander Peter Johnson, who is at the scene, said: "Crews are currently investigating steam coming from a generator on the roof of the building.

Firefighters in Aldgate. Photo: LWFirefighters in Aldgate. Photo: LW
Firefighters in Aldgate. Photo: LW
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"There are road closures in place and we encourage people to avoid the area."

The fire service received a total of 10 calls via 999 about the incident to its control room.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was first called at 8.31am.

Crews from Whitechapel, Shadwell, Shoreditch, Dowgate, Bethnal Green and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

The cause is not known at this time.

Part of Commercial Road was closed earlier today (Tuesday, April 12) while the fire service investigated the steam issuing from the mixed-use commercial and residential building.

Firefighters in Aldgate. Photo: LWFirefighters in Aldgate. Photo: LW
Firefighters in Aldgate. Photo: LW
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Steam and smoke was found travelling through the building’s extraction system from the basement to the roof.

Firefighters isolated the supply to a boiler in the basement.

Around 30 people left the building before emergency services arrived.

There were no reports of any injuries.

A fire service spokesperson said: “The incident was over for firefighters by 10.38am.”