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A one-year-old child has died in a “hazardous materials incident” in east London.
Fire crews rushed to a flat on Barking Road, Upton Park, in Newham, at around 1.20pm on Tuesday after two adults and two children complained of a “chemical smell”.
All four people were taken to hospital, where the child tragically died during treatment.
Firefighters from Poplar, Millwall and Euston were called in to evacuate around 12 people from surrounding properties.
The apartment was then ventilated and cleaned “to determine any hazardous substances present.”
The on-site analysis took about three hours and the emergency services left shortly after 4:20 p.m.
The cause of the incident is not yet clear but is currently being investigated by the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade.
Those evacuated from their homes are being supported by Newham Council, which said its thoughts were “with the family of the young child who tragically lost his life in this terrible incident”.
Fire crews rushed to a flat on Barking Road, Upton Park, in Newham, at around 1.20pm on Tuesday after two adults and two children complained of a “chemical smell” (Image: General view of the street)
A council spokesman added: “Details of the exact nature of the incident are not yet clear and the Metropolitan Police will remain at the scene as investigations progress.”
“As a council, we took swift action to ensure evacuated residents were cared for in a warm, safe environment.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said firefighters were called to the street following reports of “chemicals”.
The fire service said: “Emergency crews were mobilized to a property on Barking Road, Upton Park, after two adults and two children went to hospital complaining about the smell of chemicals in a flat.”
“Unfortunately one of the children later died in hospital whilst receiving treatment.”
“Approximately 12 people were evacuated from surrounding properties as a precaution while emergency crews responded.”
“Specially trained firefighters conducted a systematic search of the affected property to identify any hazardous materials present and ventilate the scene.”
“The first call reporting the incident was received at 1.18pm and firefighters from Poplar, Millwall, Euston and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.” The incident was over for the crews in 1623.
“The incident is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service with support from the brigade.”