This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hackney-fire-over-70-firefighters-tackling-blaze-in-east-london-10321155.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Hackney fire: More than 70 firefighters tackling blaze in east London which has injured at least one Hackney fire: More than 70 firefighters tackling blaze in east London which has injured at least one
(about 2 hours later)
More than 70 firefighters are tackling a huge blaze at a row of shops in Yorkton Street, east London, which has hospitalised at least one person. More than 70 firefighters were sent to tackle a huge blaze at a row of shops in Yorkton Street, east London, which hospitalised at least one person.
The London Fire Brigade was alerted to the fire at around 1pm, prompting the force to send 10 fire trucks from nine fire stations across the capital to the scene.The London Fire Brigade was alerted to the fire at around 1pm, prompting the force to send 10 fire trucks from nine fire stations across the capital to the scene.
Firefighters evacuated three women and three men from properties at either side of the fire, while two others fled the scene before the Brigade arrived, Station Manager Keith Cunnew said in a statement.Firefighters evacuated three women and three men from properties at either side of the fire, while two others fled the scene before the Brigade arrived, Station Manager Keith Cunnew said in a statement.
A man suffering injuries to his forearm and smoke inhalation, reported to be in his 50s, has been rushed to the nearby Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, according to a spokeswoman from the London Ambulance Service. A man suffering injuries burns to his and smoke inhalation, reported to be in his 50s, was rushed to the nearby Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, according to a spokeswoman from the London Ambulance Service.
Images from the scene show thick, black smoke billowing from the shops, as police usher passersby away from Hackney Road, which is closed between Queensbridge Road and Pritchard's Road, The Mirror has reported.Images from the scene show thick, black smoke billowing from the shops, as police usher passersby away from Hackney Road, which is closed between Queensbridge Road and Pritchard's Road, The Mirror has reported.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown, however a witness told the newspaper that the blaze appears to have spread from the TSS Joinery shop, where the roof is thought to have collapsed. A witness told the newspaper that the blaze appeared to have spread from the TSS Joinery shop, where the roof is thought to have collapsed.
Cunnew said the structure of the building has been "seriously damaged by the blaze."Cunnew said the structure of the building has been "seriously damaged by the blaze."
Hackney road this afternoon  pic.twitter.com/mIe7SvoD0cHackney road this afternoon  pic.twitter.com/mIe7SvoD0c
Further images of 72 firefighters tackling the blaze on Yorkton St in #Hackney pic.twitter.com/TsJmvan0AhFurther images of 72 firefighters tackling the blaze on Yorkton St in #Hackney pic.twitter.com/TsJmvan0Ah
Hackney road is on fire  pic.twitter.com/IzMvGSZvl4Hackney road is on fire  pic.twitter.com/IzMvGSZvl4
#hackney road is on fire pic.twitter.com/9YOVPcW9SY#hackney road is on fire pic.twitter.com/9YOVPcW9SY
@MPSHackney even the roof has collapsed in pic.twitter.com/tWLjOoJg0b@MPSHackney even the roof has collapsed in pic.twitter.com/tWLjOoJg0b
Hackney Road fire pic.twitter.com/pp9EkiM5znHackney Road fire pic.twitter.com/pp9EkiM5zn
The London Fire Brigade is urging people in the area to keep their doors and windows closed.  The fire was brought under control by around 5:30pm, but crews will remain on the scene to damp down the buildings, the London Fire Brigade has tweeted.
Cunnew said the force is “making good progress” at the scene, but added "it will take some time to damp down the fire." Earlier, the force urged people in the area to keep their doors and windows closed.
The Metropolitan Police in Hackney mirrored this warning, and tweeted that diversions in place are likely to last into the evening. The Metropolitan Police in Hackney tweeted earlier that diversions in place are likely to last into the evening.
Thick black smoke coming from the blaze on Yorkton St #Hackney. Please close your doors & windows © @ScipioAfricana pic.twitter.com/vkUM71w6y4Thick black smoke coming from the blaze on Yorkton St #Hackney. Please close your doors & windows © @ScipioAfricana pic.twitter.com/vkUM71w6y4
Large fire #HackneyRoad Diversions in place. Please avoid the area. Expected to last into this evening. #GDERTB pic.twitter.com/g7F1wX6qR7Large fire #HackneyRoad Diversions in place. Please avoid the area. Expected to last into this evening. #GDERTB pic.twitter.com/g7F1wX6qR7
The black smoke rising from the fire can be seen from as far away as the City of London, photos on social media show. The black smoke rising from the fire could be seen from as far away as the City of London, photos on social media show.
@LondonFire brigade looks to be winning, the smoke is still wide-spread... pic.twitter.com/ykgS6ZAKv5@LondonFire brigade looks to be winning, the smoke is still wide-spread... pic.twitter.com/ykgS6ZAKv5
Part of roof is alight at the fire on Yorkton St in #Hackney, 72 firefighters at the scene. pic.twitter.com/GZ28tNjoOwPart of roof is alight at the fire on Yorkton St in #Hackney, 72 firefighters at the scene. pic.twitter.com/GZ28tNjoOw
A barmaid at the Marksman pub opposite the fire, who identified herself only as Kim, told The Evening Standard:"The smoke was so thick you couldn't see outside the window. It was so unbelievably thick.A barmaid at the Marksman pub opposite the fire, who identified herself only as Kim, told The Evening Standard:"The smoke was so thick you couldn't see outside the window. It was so unbelievably thick.
"It was terrifying... It was terrible the flames were huge, huge, when the roof came down there was a hell of a noise I ran in, I was terrified. We were all outside watching it.""It was terrifying... It was terrible the flames were huge, huge, when the roof came down there was a hell of a noise I ran in, I was terrified. We were all outside watching it."
More to follow An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched, according to the Brigade.
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA