Child dies and four people are rushed to hospital following flat fire in east London

An 11-year-old boy has died following an early morning flat fire in east London, the Fire Brigade said.

A three-room flat on the second floor of a building on Stern Close, Barking was destroyed by the blaze, which emergency services were called to at 3.25am. 

Two adults and two children left the flat before firefighters arrived and were taken to hospital. 

Another man was treated at the incident by London Ambulance Service crews. 

Sadly, one child was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Pictured: Stern Close, Barking. Two adults and two children left the flat before firefighters arrived and were taken to hospital

London Fire Brigade said in a statement: ‘The London Fire Brigade was called at 0325 and the incident was over for firefighters by 0518.

‘Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Barking, East Ham and surrounding fire stations were in attendance.

‘The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and Metropolitan Police Service.’

Met Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called at 03:29hrs by London Fire Brigade (LFB) who were responding to reports of a fire at a residential address in Stern Close, Barking.

‘LFB attended and extinguished the fire.

‘London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended, sadly an 11-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

‘His next of kin have been informed

‘Four other people, two adults and two children were taken to hospital, none were in a life threatening condition.

‘Police, in consultation with the LFB, are investigating the cause of the fire.

‘Enquiries continue, but at this this early stage, the fire does not appear to be suspicious.’  

More follows…