A man has sadly died following a fire at a 22-storey tower block in east London, just one day after the Building Safety Regulator approved remediation work for the building.

The fire broke out on the 17th floor of Neutron Tower in Poplar during the early hours of 12 September. Two adults and a child were rescued by firefighters, while one man died at the scene.

The timing of the fire has brought renewed attention to the building's long-running safety issues. The Building Safety Regulator had approved the remediation application on 11 September, following a 31-week assessment period.

Residents report alarm and lighting failures

Several residents said they did not hear the building's communal fire alarms during the fire and were instead alerted by neighbours banging on doors and shouting warnings.

Residents also reported that emergency lighting was not working in communal areas, leaving people to make their way down dark staircases using their phone flashlights.

The building had also experienced significant flooding the previous day, with water affecting staircases and lifts. Whether this was connected to the reported issues with alarms, lighting or electrical systems remains under investigation.

Remediation approved just one day before the fire

The BSR received the application for remediation work in February 2026 but did not approve it until 11 September, less than 24 hours before the fatal fire.

The regulator said the case was complex and involved multiple information requests and ongoing discussions with the applicant.

The building had previously received a B2 rating following an EWS1 assessment in 2021, indicating that remediation was required. The development's safety concerns included combustible materials in the external wall system and issues with compartmentation.

Investigations continue

The London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police and Building Safety Regulator are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, including the performance of the building's safety systems and potential electrical issues.

With those investigations ongoing, the cause of the fire and the reasons for any reported alarm or emergency lighting failures have not yet been confirmed.

The incident highlights the importance of effective fire detection, alarm and emergency lighting systems in high-rise buildings, while the timing of the fire raises wider questions around how building safety risks are managed while remediation work is awaiting approval.

Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this difficult time.

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