Teenager arrested on suspicion of murder after 14-year-old dies in fire at flats in London

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 14-year-old girl died in a fire at a block of flats in east London.

Emergency services were called to the blaze on Tollgate Road in Beckton, Newham, at around 5.28pm on Thursday.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the girl who died was found in a second-floor flat and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five others were taken to hospital with “not life-threatening” injuries and have since been discharged, a Scotland Yard spokesperson said.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and police are investigating.

A spokesperson for LFB said: “The stairwell from the ground floor to the second floor of a residential block was destroyed by fire. Half of the second floor was also damaged by the blaze.”

Police said investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Chief superintendent Simon Crick, who leads the north east command unit 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.

“Your officers will be on patrol in the immediate vicinity over the Easter weekend, please talk to them if you have any concerns.”

A crime scene and safety cordons remain in place, the force said.

Detective chief inspector Joanna Yorke, of the Met’s specialist crime command, said: “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 understand the effect an incident of this kind will have on the local community and I reiterate Chief Superintendent Crick’s advice that anyone with concerns should speak with local officers.

“I would like to thank residents in the immediate area for their co-operation while my team conduct their enquiries.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the victim.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 5315/6APR.