Eleven people rushed to hospital after huge fire at block of flats in East London

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Cornwall Avenue in Bethnal Green overnight.

Part of three flats on the ground, first and second floors of the residential block were damaged by fire.

London Fire Brigade firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used fire escape hoods to rescue seven people from the building.

17 people were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews and 11 of those people were taken to hospital.

London firefighters were among the first in the UK to carry fire escape hoods when they were introduced in 2018 as part of improvements following the Grenfell Tower fire.

The hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people.

If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.

The Brigade's Control Officers took 36 calls to the fire and gave vital fire survival guidance to three residents on how to stay safe before firefighters arrived.

The Brigade was called just before midnight and the fire was under control by 0105. Fire crews from Shadwell, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Poplar and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

They say the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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