London Fire Brigade confirmed it was at the scene of a tower block blaze in Whitechapel High Street today.

There are as many as 15 engines and 125 firefighters in attendance.

The Brigade was called just before 4pm with crews from Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Dowgate, Bethnal Green, Dockhead, Old Kent Road, Islington and surrounding fire stations attending the scene.

A spokesperson said: “Crews are tackling a fire on the 17th floor of the building. The Brigade’s 64m ladder has been mobilised to the incident.

“The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken more than 50 calls to the blaze.”


READ MORE: Whitechapel fire: Tower block residents claim not to have heard alarm


London Ambulance Service advised people in Whitechapel to keep their windows closed and stay indoors as fire crews battle the blaze.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 4.07pm today (March 7) to reports of a fire at a high-rise building on Whitechapel High Street.

“We sent an ambulance crew, an incident response officer, a team leader in a fast response car and members of our hazardous area response team.

“We are working closely with our emergency service colleagues, more updates to follow.

“If you are in the local area, please try and stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the building was evacuated.

London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “20 fire engines and more than 125 firefighters are working hard to tackle a fire at a block of flats and offices on Whitechapel High Street.

“I’m in close contact with the Fire Commissioner – please avoid the area and follow @LondonFire for updates.”

London Fire Brigade confirmed the fire was under control by 1907. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.


READ MORE: Aldgate fire: Woman trapped in Whitechapel High Street blaze rescued by fire crews


Residents react to Whitechapel High Street fire

Among reactions to the tower block fire in Whitechapel today are residents saying they did not hear a fire alarm and were alerted to the situation by other people in the building. Read the full story here.