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In the early hours of Saturday, a fire broke out on the 17th floor of Neutron Tower, a residential block in Poplar, east London, resulting in the death of a man. Several residents have reported that they did not hear any fire alarms during the incident and were instead alerted to the danger by neighbours who went door to door, banging and shouting to warn others to evacuate. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that firefighters rescued two adults and a child from the flat using breathing apparatus.
The management company, FirstPort, declined to make any speculations regarding the cause of the fire while investigations are ongoing. The London Fire Brigade stated that their Fire Investigation Team is examining numerous factors to determine what led to the blaze. A two-bedroom flat and its balcony on the 17th floor suffered significant damage, with half of the flat destroyed by fire.
Eyewitness accounts detailed a chaotic evacuation amidst a lack of emergency lighting and working alarms. One resident, Katarzyna, who lives on the fifth floor with her family, described how neighbours on the 19th floor smelled smoke and raised the alarm. She said, “We grabbed our passports and got out – it was pandemonium and my husband was banging on all the doors on the fifth floor to alert neighbours.” She also noted that their smoke and heat alarms had not activated, and the stairwell was completely dark during their escape. Another occupant, Priya Armstrong-Pond from the seventh floor, highlighted previous issues in the building, mentioning flooding in the communal areas the day before and the presence of water inside the lifts.
Following the fire, many residents have been displaced and are staying in nearby hotels, often at their own expense. Katarzyna remarked on the somber atmosphere, likening the building’s darkened silhouette to a “dark tower” reminiscent of Grenfell. FirstPort expressed their condolences over the loss of life and reaffirmed that resident safety remains their top priority. They confirmed ongoing support efforts, including arrangements for temporary accommodation, though no confirmed date has been set for residents to return to their homes. The fire was reported to the London Fire Brigade at 04:35 and was under control by 06:41 that morning
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