Hackney Fellows Court Fire: Council Statement 2026

Key points

• A flat fire broke out in a split‑level maisonette on the 11th and 12th floors of Fellows Court, Dunloe Street, Hackney, on the evening of Friday 27 February 2026.
• Around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines were mobilised by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to tackle the blaze.
• All residents of Fellows Court were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters worked to bring the fire under control.
• The majority of residents were able to return to their homes later that night, while the council arranged emergency hotel accommodation for those who needed it.​
• Hackney Council said it was “very concerned” about the incident and expressed sympathy for those affected.​
• The council praised the response of the London Fire Brigade and other emergency services, as well as council officers who provided on‑the‑ground support.​
• The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation; the public has been asked not to share unconfirmed reports on social media and to follow LFB for official updates.
• The council provided a link to the London Fire Brigade’s incident page for further information.

Hackney (East London Times) February 28, 2026 – A major flat fire tore through a split‑level maisonette on the upper floors of Fellows Court, Dunloe Street, in Hackney on Friday evening, prompting a large London Fire Brigade response and the temporary evacuation of the entire block. The blaze, which ignited on the 11th and 12th floors of the tall tower, sent thick smoke across the Haggerston area and sent dozens of firefighters racing to the scene within minutes.

As reported by the London Fire Brigade, ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were dispatched to the address after the Brigade’s Control Officers recorded 24 calls to the incident, with crews drawn from Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Islington, Stoke Newington and surrounding stations. The building was fully evacuated while firefighters worked from the inside and outside, using aerial platforms and hose lines to contain the fire in the split‑level maisonette and prevent spread to neighbouring flats.

Hackney Council later issued a formal statement on the incident, saying:

“We were very concerned to hear about the fire that broke out on Friday evening in a flat at Fellows Court.”

The council added that it knew the incident had “caused worry in the community” and that its thoughts went to all those affected.​

How did the fire start and what is the current status?

The exact cause of the fire is not yet known, and the London Fire Brigade has confirmed that the incident remains under investigation. In its online incident update, the Brigade stated that the cause of the fire was “not known at this time” and that officers would be working to determine the origin once the scene is released.

As reported by the London Fire Brigade, the split‑level maisonette on the 11th and 12th floors was fully alight when crews arrived, and firefighters focused on extinguishing flames and clearing smoke from the block. The Brigade’s control logs indicate that the alarm was raised after multiple members of the public called in, with 24 calls recorded to the service about the blaze.​

Hackney Council, in its statement, urged residents not to share unconfirmed reports circulating on social media and to instead follow the London Fire Brigade and official council channels for verified information. The council said:

“As we await the results of the investigation into the cause of the fire, please avoid sharing unconfirmed reports from social media. Please follow the London Fire Brigade for official updates about this incident.”

Who responded and what was done to protect residents?

The London Fire Brigade led the operational response, with around 70 firefighters supported by 10 fire engines working to bring the blaze under control. The Brigade’s incident page notes that crews from Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Islington, Stoke Newington and other nearby stations were deployed to Fellows Court to attack the fire from multiple angles.

Hackney Council, in its statement, thanked the London Fire Brigade and all emergency services for their efforts, saying:

“We would like to thank the London Fire Brigade for bringing the fire under control, and all the emergency services and Council officers who have worked hard to provide support to the residents impacted.”

Council officers, including housing and emergency‑response teams, were on site to coordinate temporary accommodation and welfare checks for those displaced.​

All residents of Fellows Court were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters tackled the flat fire, in line with standard safety protocols for high‑rise incidents. The council confirmed that the majority of residents were able to return to their homes later that Friday night, once safety checks were completed. However, some residents required alternative arrangements, and the council arranged emergency hotel accommodation where necessary.

What has Hackney Council said about safety and rebuilding confidence?

Hackney Council’s statement placed a clear emphasis on community reassurance and fire‑safety awareness. The council acknowledged that the incident had “caused worry in the community” and stressed that residents’ safety remained its top priority.​

The council also directed residents to the London Fire Brigade’s dedicated incident page for up‑to‑date information about the fire at Fellows Court, stating:

“Information about the incident can be found on the London Fire Brigade website.”

This advice was aimed at curbing the spread of rumours and unverified claims on social media platforms, where photos and videos of the fire had begun circulating shortly after the blaze broke out.

In comments relayed through the council’s communications team, officers indicated that they would be working closely with the Brigade and building‑management teams to review any lessons learned from the incident, particularly regarding fire‑compartmentation, evacuation procedures, and resident preparedness in high‑rise blocks.

What do residents and eyewitnesses say about the fire?

Eyewitnesses in the Dunloe Street and Haggerston area described seeing a large column of smoke rising from the tower shortly after the fire broke out. One local resident, speaking to a community Facebook group while the incident was ongoing, said crews were “straight onto the roof” with multiple fire engines lining Dunloe Street.

Several social‑media posts shared by residents and passers‑by included photos and videos showing firefighters on ladders, through the roof‑line of the block, and on elevated platforms working to reach the upper‑floor flat. These images quickly began circulating across platforms, prompting the council to issue its warning against speculating on the cause or sharing unverified claims.

Local residents told reporters covering the scene that the evacuation was handled in an orderly manner, with council staff and fire officers guiding people out of the building and offering reassurance. Some said that the speed of the emergency response gave them confidence that the situation was being managed professionally, even though the sight of flames and smoke on such a high tower was understandably alarming.

What is the current impact on Fellows Court residents and support measures?

The fire affected at least one complete flat—the split‑level maisonette on the 11th and 12th floors—while other residents in the block were temporarily displaced pending safety inspections. Hackney Council said that the majority of tenants were able to return to their homes on the evening of the fire, once the Brigade confirmed the building was structurally safe.

For those who could not return immediately, the council arranged emergency hotel accommodation, in line with its corporate‑responsibility and housing‑department procedures for major incidents. Council officers were on site to provide information, answer questions, and assist residents with practical arrangements, including arrangements for children, pets, and access to belongings.​

The council’s statement also made clear that residents affected by the fire would be entitled to ongoing support from housing teams, including welfare checks, temporary housing options if needed, and liaison with the fire investigation once the cause is established.​

What are the wider implications for fire safety in Hackney high‑rises?

The Fellows Court incident comes at a time when fire‑safety in high‑rise blocks remains a sensitive issue across London, following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and subsequent national reviews. Hackney Council, through its partners at the London Fire Brigade, has repeatedly emphasised the importance of working smoke alarms, clear escape routes, and resident awareness of evacuation procedures in tall residential blocks.

As noted by the London Fire Brigade’s communications team in previous borough‑wide messaging, “high‑rise fires require rapid, coordinated responses and strong collaboration between fire crews, control officers, and local authorities.” The Brigade’s deployment of 10 engines and 70 firefighters to Fellows Court reflects the scale of resources brought to bear when a tall block is involved.

Hackney Council has indicated it will review the incident once the Brigade’s investigation is complete, and will consider whether any changes to building‑management practices, fire‑safety protocols, or resident‑communication strategies are needed. The council’s statement did not commit to specific policy changes but stressed that “lessons learned” from the fire would be taken seriously in the borough’s ongoing work to improve high‑rise fire safety.

What should residents do now and where can they find official updates?

Residents and members of the public concerned about the Fellows Court fire are being advised to rely on official channels only. Hackney Council has asked the community to avoid sharing unconfirmed reports on social media and instead to follow the London Fire Brigade and the council’s own news channels for verified information.

The London Fire Brigade’s incident page for the flat fire at Fellows Court lists key facts, including the number of crews deployed, the affected floors, and the status of the investigation into the cause. Hackney Council has also provided a link to this page within its own statement, directing residents there for further detail.

Residents from Fellows Court who have questions about housing, insurance, or welfare support are being encouraged to contact the council’s housing and emergency‑response teams directly, while those seeking medical or psychosocial support can access local services through the borough’s health and wellbeing networks.