Beckton: Teenage girl dead and five people taken to hospital after fatal fire - 16-year-old arrested

A 14-year-old girl has died following a fire in east London on Thursday night (April 6).

Five others were taken to hospital after the blaze broke out in Tollgate Road.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the incident, which is being treated as arson.

The fire destroyed the stairwell from the ground floor to the second floor of a residential block. Half of the second floor was damaged.

Firefighters found the teenage girl in a second-floor flat and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five further people were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. Their injuries were not life threatening and they have since been discharged from hospital.

London Fire Brigade was called at 5.24pm and the blaze was under control by 6.33pm.

Six engines and around 40 firefighters from East Ham, Plaistow, Barking and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

Detectives Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “We are at the very early stages of our investigation and are still keen to hear from anyone who has information but has not yet spoken with police.

“I understand the effect an incident of this kind will have on the local community and I reiterate Chief Superintendent Crick’s advice that anyone with concerns should speak with local officers. I would like to thank residents in the immediate area for their co-operation while my team conduct their enquiries.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the victim.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 5315/6APR.

To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz tweeted on Thursday: “Along with Cabinet member for Community Safety, Cllr Amar Virdee, we are deeply saddened by the news that there has been one fatality already from the fire that broke out in flats in Beckton.

“Our deepest condolences to loved ones now in mourning.”