Firefighters rescued three children at a fire in Canning Town

London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to a fire at a three-bedroom flat on Barking Road at 5.52pm last night (May 31).

The LFB confirmed that the fire destroyed the apartment.

Footage posted on Twitter showed thick smoke billowing from a first-floor window above the Ladbrokes bookmaker.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus had to take three adults and three children to safety from a neighboring apartment via the outside stairs.

All six people rescued were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews.

Fire in #canningtown @NewhamLondon hope everyone is safe pic.twitter.com/fIv9xr2vPE

— Andrea Chufo (@uomodlamansarda) May 31, 2023

Barking Road was closed between Ordnance Road and Morgan Street in both directions while firefighters worked to make the scene safe.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Plaistow, Millwall, Poplar, East Ham, Stratford and Shadwell fire stations attended the blaze, which was brought under control by 6.40pm.

The LFB said the use of live streaming technology helped firefighters deal with the fire.

After the crew received more than 35 calls about the fire, 999 dispatchers asked the caller if they could provide a live video feed from the scene using their phone.

The caller was then sent a text message with a secure one-time link that opens a live feed from the phone to the control room.

An LFB spokesman said this live feed, called 999Eye, provides “better situational awareness” and allows the crew to give the best advice based on live footage.

The cause of yesterday’s fire is currently under investigation.