Child Dies After Chemical Incident in Upton Park

A child has died following a hazardous materials incident at a flat on Barking Road in Upton Park, Newham, after two adults and two children went to hospital complaining of a smell of chemicals; one of the children later died while receiving treatment, the London Fire Brigade said. About 12 neighbouring residents were evacuated as a precaution while specially trained firefighters carried out a systematic sweep of the property to detect hazardous materials and ventilated the scene. The first call was made around 13:18–13:20 GMT and crews from Poplar, Millwall, Euston and other stations attended; the response was stood down by about 16:23–16:25. The Metropolitan Police, supported by the London Fire Brigade, is investigating the source of the incident. The local council said it was caring for evacuated residents and offered condolences to the family, and details about the exact nature of the chemical or source of the leak have not been released.