Canning Town fire: At least 7 hospitalised

LONDON: At least seven people were hospitalised after a fire erupted at a construction site in Canning Town in east London, United Kingdom on Tuesday.

The London Fire Brigade received reports of the incident at 8:23 am local time, with emergency services responding to over 25 calls.

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The fire originated in a commercial unit located on the ground floor of a ten-storey building under development. Thick black smoke engulfed the area, visible from afar and surrounding the base of a crane.

Initially, only one person was believed to have sustained injuries in the fire. However, the London Ambulance Service confirmed treating ten people for injuries. Seven of them were later taken to a local hospital.

Ambulance crews, first responders and paramedics were deployed to the site. Almost 70 firefighters from various stations worked to contain the blaze. Firefighters were able to rescue one person using a ladder.

Authorities advised residents to keep away from the area and to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke.

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The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.