Beckton fire: Girl, 14, dies after horror blaze with 5 others hurt as boy, 16, arrested on suspicion of murder
A 14-YEAR-OLD girl was killed in a horror blaze overnight – with a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder.
The teen girl had been in the block of flats in Beckton, East London, when the fire took hole around 5.30pm yesterday.
The Metropolitan Police today confirmed that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the tragedy.
A safety cordon remains in place at the scene.
They added that the fire is being treated as an arson attack.
The exact cause is still unknown, while witnesses described hearing screams as desperate residents jumped from windows to save themselves.
One local told The Sun: “It was absolute chaos yesterday afternoon.
“The screaming was piercing. It was horrific. People were shouting for help and I saw someone jump from the third floor.
“It’s horrific.”
Dramatic images show flames leaping from the windows on the third storey, while crews worked to put the blaze out.
Flowers have been placed at the scene by grieving locals.
Two girls were seen hugging and crying as they left the tributes on the street outside the burnt-out block.
Earlier on Friday morning, two women, a man and a girl were seen placing six bunches of flowers, including roses and lillies, on the pavement next to police tape.
Rokshana Fiaz OBE, the mayor of Newham, posted a tribute on Twitter, saying: “Along with Cabinet member for Community Safety, Cllr Amar Virdee, we are deeply saddened by the news that there has been one fatality already from the fire that broke out in flats in Beckton.
“Our deepest condolences to loved ones now in mourning.”
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick said: “My thoughts at this time are with the victim and their family and friends.
“Incidents such as these send shockwaves through our communities and I don’t underestimate the impact this will have in the local area and beyond.”
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke added: “We are at the very early stages of our investigation and are still keen to hear from anyone who has information but has not yet spoken with police.
“I would like to thank residents in the immediate area for their co-operation while my team conduct their enquiries.”
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Met on 101, quoting reference 5315/6APR.
Those who wish to make an anonymous report can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.