Man dies in Poplar tower fire as residents report no alarms
Firefighters battled a blaze at Neutron Tower where a 17th-floor resident lost their life.
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A man died after a fire broke out at Neutron Tower in Poplar on 13 September 2026. The blaze, which destroyed half of a two-bedroom flat and its balcony on the 17th floor, prompted a large response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
The LFB received the first call at 04:35 and had the incident under control by 06:41. Firefighters rescued two adults and a child from the building, with the deceased found on the 17th floor. Investigations into the cause of the fire are being conducted by the Brigade's Fire Investigation Team.
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Residents alerted by neighbours
Several residents reported that they were not alerted by the building's smoke and heat alarms. Instead, many were woken by neighbours banging on their doors and urging them to evacuate. Katarzyna, who lives on the fifth floor, described being alerted by a neighbour from the 19th floor who smelled smoke. She added that her husband then banged on doors on their floor to warn others. She also noted that the staircase was dark, with no emergency lighting.
Priya Armstrong-Pond, a resident on the seventh floor, recounted being woken by her neighbour around 04:30 after he heard shouting. She stated that no fire alarms sounded and there was no lighting on the landing or stairs. She also mentioned the absence of a concierge or any staff to assist residents.
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The LFB confirmed that half of the two-bedroom flat and its balcony on the 17th floor were destroyed by the fire.
Management company response
FirstPort, the management company for Neutron Tower, expressed its sadness at the death and stated its thoughts were with the family and those affected. The company said it would not speculate on specific matters while the fire was under investigation. Their immediate priority is the safety of residents, with teams providing support and arranging temporary accommodation where necessary. FirstPort has stated that any decision regarding residents' return home will be made in conjunction with emergency services when it is deemed safe.
Some residents are currently staying in a nearby hotel, with no confirmed timeframe for their return to the building.
Questions this report answers
+When did the fire at Neutron Tower happen?
The fire at Neutron Tower in Poplar broke out on 13 September 2026. The London Fire Brigade was called at 04:35 and had the fire under control by 06:41 on the same day.
+Were there any fatalities in the Neutron Tower fire?
Yes, a man died as a result of the fire. He was located on the 17th floor of Neutron Tower, where the fire destroyed half of a two-bedroom flat and its balcony.
+Did the building's alarms work during the fire?
Residents reported that the building's smoke and heat alarms did not sound during the fire. Many residents stated they were alerted by neighbours banging on doors and telling them to evacuate.
+What is the management company saying about the fire?
FirstPort, the building's management company, has stated it is cooperating with the investigation into the fire's cause. They expressed sadness at the fatality and confirmed their priority is resident safety, providing support and temporary accommodation.
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