Beckton fire: Police confirm girl, 14, died and teen arrest

Earlier today the Recorder reported that the victim was “believed to be a schoolgirl” after tributes to a girl called Tiffany spread online.

Now the Metropolitan Police have confirmed the girl who died in the Tollgate Road, Beckton, fire last night (April 6) was aged 14.

The London Fire Brigade says she was pronounced dead at the scene after found inside one of the flats.

Five other people were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

The fire pictured in Beckton (Image: UGC)

In the comments for some of the tributes one person wrote “I could barely sleep at night”.

Another person called the alleged girl a “beautiful person inside and out” and described her as “funny and loving”.

In a new appeal, the Met says that the case is being treated as arson and a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing.

Police at the scene in Beckton (Image: PA)

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 scene and safety cordons remain in place.

Flowers laid to rest in respect of the girl, 14, who died in a fire in Beckton (Image: PA Media)

According to the London Fire Brigade, the first and second floors of a residential block were alight, along with the staircase form the first to second floor.

There were six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from East Ham, Plaistow, Barking and surrounding stations.

Forensic investigators at scene on Tollgate Road in Beckton. (Image: PA)

Just after 5.20pm, emergency services were alerted to a building block on fire on Tollgate Road, E6.

The stairwell of the ground floor to the second floor, as well as half of the second floor, was damaged by the blaze.

Emergency services are still at the scene in Beckton (Image: PA)

Sources have told the Recorder that they witnessed “panicked” people “Jumping out of windows” as the blaze spread.

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.”

Enquiries are ongoing.

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