Beckton blaze: Boy, 16, arrested after girl dies in flat fire

A 16-year-old boy 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.

The girl was found in a second-floor flat that was damaged in the blaze in Tollgate Road, Beckton, at about 17:30 BST on Thursday.

Five people were also injured but have since been discharged from hospital, Scotland Yard said.

Detectives said they were treating the fire as arson.

Witness Rahina Begum said the flames "went up very quickly, within a few seconds".

Ms Begum, who lives opposite the flats, added: "In 10 to 15 seconds the whole building was on fire, from the bottom to the top.

"The flames were so high. Somebody dying is so sad."

A second neighbour, who did not wish to be named, described seeing people jump from the building to try to escape.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the stairwell from the ground floor to the second floor was destroyed by flames.

It added firefighters discovered the teenage girl in a flat on the second floor, half of which was badly damaged.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Resident Virginia Lusambulu said: "It was terrible. It was a big, big fire.

"Someone said to me that children were jumping from the top... it was panic."

Harry Low, BBC London News

Throughout the day, people have been laying floral tributes close to this small block flats. 

Many of them hug as they do so, visibly upset by what has happened here.

Passers-by stop to a look at the largely windowless second floor.

Police forensics teams have been assessing the scene for clues as to what might have caused the fire they are now treating as arson. 

The police cordon has expanded, along with the number of emergency service personnel, as the seriousness with which this is being taken becomes apparent.

I've seen footage of some people desperate to escape from the top floor of the burning building, jumping on to mattresses laid out on the ground by quick-thinking neighbours.

Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters responded to the call at about 17:25 and had the fire under control just after 18:30, LFB said.

London Ambulance Service said five ambulance crews and the air ambulance attended the scene.

Tollgate Road remains cordoned off and restrictions are in place on surrounding roads.

Ch Supt Simon Crick said his thoughts were with the girl's 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," he said.

Det Ch Insp Joanna Yorke urged anyone with information to contact the force immediately.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by LFB and Met Police.

LFB's borough commander for Newham, Richard Arnold, said crews would remain in the area and offer support and advice to residents.

"This was a very tragic incident and our crews who attended the scene are receiving support from our counselling and trauma service," he added.

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