Huge fire erupts opposite O2 arena as flames pour from tower block

A has ripped through a tower block with thick black smoke seen billowing up into the sky with three people taken to hospital.

Around have tackled the blaze that broke out in a building opposite the 02 arena in London and the fire service has said that a man as well as two crew members have been treated for smoke inhalation. The incident happened at New Providence Wharf near Canary Wharf in with terrifying footage showing a balcony alight and dark black smoke rising from it. London Fire Brigade were inundated with reports of a blaze, receiving 26 calls at around 8.47pm on Tuesday night.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters arrived on Fairmont Avenue where they found a three-bedroom flat on the 13th floor of the 20-storey building was on fire. They were able to bring the fierce blaze under control by 9.15pm.

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A resident of Tower Hamlets posted on : "Flames reducing I have been told but be ready to evacuate. Second fire at this block where fire visible from the balcony, last fire showed major fire safety issues in the block."

Many other people also took to social media to express their worry. One person wrote: "Oh, no! Please be safe everyone" and another said: "So scary! Hope no one is injured!"

London Fire Service later released a statement confirming the three people had been taken to hospital but it did not give any details on how serious was their smoke inhalation. No cause for the fire has been given yet either.

A spokesperson stated: "Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a flat fire at New Providence Wharf in Poplar. A small part of a three roomed flat on the 13th floor of the 20 storey building was damaged by fire. A small part of the flat's attached balcony has also been damaged by the blaze.

"One man from the flat and two male members of staff were treated on scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service and taken to hospital.

"The Brigade's 999 Control officers received 26 calls alerting them to the fire. They deployed crews from Poplar, Millwall, Plaistow, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations.

"The Brigade was first called at 2047 and the fire was under control by 2115. The cause of the fire is under investigation."