Partial Evacuation at East London Residential Block Following Lithium-Ion Battery Fire

Emergency services responded to a major fire at a residential block in Plaistow, East London, on 21 October 2024, which is believed to have been caused by the failure of a lithium battery. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received an overwhelming number of calls, with 30 separate reports coming in about the fire at the 15-storey building. Fire crews from East Ham, Plaistow, Stratford, and nearby stations were quickly dispatched to the scene.

In total, 10 fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters battled the blaze, which originated in a flat on the tenth floor. According to an official update from the LFB, the fire occurred in a three-bedroom apartment and completely destroyed the interior and balcony. The intense flames spread vertically, severely damaging balconies on the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th floors directly above the source of the fire.

Three men were able to evacuate the affected flat before emergency services arrived. The London Ambulance Service (LAS) treated two of them on-site. A spokesperson for the LAS confirmed that they were alerted to the fire at 8:09 AM and dispatched a range of resources, including ambulance crews, members of the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and an incident response officer. The first medical teams arrived at the scene within two minutes. One of the men was taken to the hospital as a priority, while the other was treated and discharged on-site.

In addition to rescuing the men, firefighters evacuated around 30 other residents from the building as a precaution. Firefighters also conducted a thorough search of the affected floors to ensure no one was left behind.

Dramatic images of the fire show flames and thick plumes of smoke billowing from the upper floors of the building, engulfing the balconies and creating a hazardous situation for both residents and emergency responders. Although the fire was brought under control by 9:00 AM, people were advised to stay away from the area as fire crews continued their work on-site.

An investigation by the LFB has since confirmed that the fire was accidental, caused by the failure of a lithium battery. The incident has prompted the Brigade to issue a safety reminder about the proper use and charging of lithium batteries. They advised the public to reduce the risk of overheating by allowing batteries to cool down before recharging, and to follow all safety guidelines to prevent similar accidents.

This fire highlights the dangers of lithium batteries, which have become increasingly common in household devices but can pose serious risks if mishandled or faulty. The LFB's timely response and swift actions helped prevent what could have been an even greater disaster.

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