Dagenham fire: residents ‘heard no alarm’ before tower block blaze

More than 80 people were evacuated and two taken to hospital after a blaze broke out overnight at a block of flats in east London.

Firefighters carried out at least 20 rescues after fire engulfed Spectrum House, a mixed-use commercial and residential tower in Dagenham.

Work had been under way at the building to remove “non-compliant cladding” and replace it.

The London Fire Brigade was called to the fire at 2.44am on Monday.

Firefighters also tackled a separate, smaller fire about nine miles away in a high rise building near Canary Wharf. Black smoke was seen billowing from about halfway up the tower block in Blackwall. The blaze was brought under control in less than 90 minutes.

Several people who live in the building spoke of not hearing a fire alarm go off inside.

Fire crews from several stations were on the scene