Girl, 14, dies and boy arrested after east London flat fire
The fire took hold at Beckton on Maundy Thursday evening
Last updated 7th Apr 2023
A 16 year old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 14 year old girl died in a fire at a block of flats in east London.
The Metropolitan Police say officers were called to the fire on Tollgate Road at Beckton in Newham just before 5.30pm, along with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) and London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Emergency services went to the address, where the girl died and five others were found injured.
Their conditions are "not life-threatening and they have since been discharged from hospital", a Scotland Yard spokesperson said.
'Shockwaves'
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, who leads the north east command unit said: "My thoughts at this time are with the victim and their family and friends.
"Incidents such as these send shockwaves through our communities and I don't underestimate the impact this will have in the local area and beyond.
"Your officers will be on patrol in the immediate vicinity over the Easter weekend, please talk to them if you have any concerns."
A crime scene and safety cordons remain in place, the force said.
Detective 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.
"A road closure is in place on Tollgate Road and restriction are in place on Bradley Stone Road and Valiant Way."
The ambulance service said: "We sent a number of resources to the scene, including five ambulance crews, two incident response officers, an advanced paramedic, a clinical team manager and members of our tactical response unit and hazardous response team (Hart).
"We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.
"We treated five patients before taking them to hospital.
"Sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene."
Witnesses say they saw people jumping out of second floor windows onto a mattress to escape.
'Deeply saddened'
The mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, said she was "deeply saddened" by the news and expressed condolences.
She wrote on Twitter: "Deepest thanks to @LFBNewham fire fighters, @MPSNewham and @Ldn_Ambulance for their emergency response efforts.
"@NewhamLondon officers are working closely with them to support affected residents.
"Tollgate Road E6 cordoned off in response to today's serious incident."
She added: "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."