Hundreds are evacuated from east London tower blocks at 3am after a 'disastrous' crack sparks fears of collapse

Documents from Prime Property Management warned residents that a crack in a concrete slab under Centurion Tower in Canning Town posed an 'imminent risk to life'. Some residents received email notification of the fault on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters were still knocking on doors on Hoy Street at 3am. Families stood freezing on the street in dressing gowns, with no word on when they can go home.

Newham Council says about 210 households were moved out of Centurion Tower and St Vincent Court.

One evacuee said: 'We have been told the building is not safe but have been offered nothing.'

Residents are now asking how long the crack had been there and 'was it built to code'.