Early morning fire damages Lower Clapton building used as a squat

Eight fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire in a disused hostel  which was being occupied by squatters in Lower Clapton Road at the corner of Atherden Road during the early hours of this morning.

Parts of the ground, first and second floors were badly damaged by the blaze, as well as part of the property’s roof.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used ladders to rescue a man and a woman from the first floor of the three storey building. Both were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Two other men left the building before fire fighters arrived, one of whom was taken to hospital after jumping from the building.

The fire was under control by 8:02 am. Crews are still at the scene early this afternoon, damping down the fire and are likely to remain there for some time to come. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Earlier today, Councillor Patrick Vernon tweeted: “Spoke to emergency services and Salvation Army who provided food and support to survivors”