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Hundreds of workers evacuated after fire hit major MTVH regeneration site
A fire broke out at the construction site of a major scheme being delivered by Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) and Vistry Partnerships yesterday, leading to around 600 workers self-evacuating.
Roughly 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines were called to the fire, which broke out on the second floor of an 11-storey building on Brunel Street in Canning Town, Newham.
Housing association MTVH confirmed to Inside Housing that it is developing the 975-home regeneration project through a joint venture with house builder Vistry Partnerships, called Opal.
No injuries were reported, but the flat involved sustained significant damage.
The affected flat is due to be handed over to fellow housing association L&Q once construction is complete, as part of a Section 106 agreement that will see the giant landlord take control of part of the block.
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The London Fire Brigade said that 200 construction workers left the building and around 400 workers left surrounding construction sites before firefighters arrived.
An emergency call was made at 1.16pm on Tuesday, with the blaze under control by 2.34pm with crews from Plaistow, Stratford, Millwall, Shadwell, Hornchurch, Greenwich and other fire stations attending.
The brigade said today that its investigators believe the fire was caused by “the unsafe disposal of smoking materials”.
A spokesperson for Vistry said: “There was an internal fire yesterday in a building under construction at our Brunel Street site in Newham.
“Our health and safety protocols were put into operation and the building and site were quickly evacuated with no injuries reported.
“We have been working with the London Fire Brigade to investigate this incident, and our team are able to return to site to resume construction work today.”
MTVH said it echoed Vistry’s statement.
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