Two escape after high-rise balcony fire in Barking
Two people escaped a flat fire in a high-rise residential block in Barking after a blaze broke out on a balcony.
Emergency services were called to Arboretum Place shortly before midday, where a fire had taken hold on the 16th floor of an 18-storey building. Around 40 firefighters and six fire engines attended the scene to bring the situation under control.
The fire was contained to the balcony of the flat, which was destroyed by the flames. The two occupants managed to leave the property before crews arrived and were later assessed at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters from several nearby stations responded, with control receiving dozens of emergency calls reporting the incident. Crews worked to extinguish the fire, which was brought under control within around 90 minutes.
The cause of the blaze is now under investigation.
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