Hundreds of families are left in limbo after a 'disastrous' crack forced a 3am evacuation of Canning Town tower blocks

Documents sent to residents warned the crack posed an 'imminent risk to life' and could bring the buildings down. Some were emailed about the fault on Thursday afternoon, yet the full evacuation of Sovereign Tower, Centurion Tower and St Vincent Court on Hoy Street was not complete until 3am Friday. Newham Council says around 211 households were hit. Families stood freezing on the street in dressing gowns.

The crack is in a transfer slab, the concrete base carrying the towers' weight.

Newham Council and property manager Prime held a crisis meeting as an investigation began.

One resident asked: 'How long has this potentially disastrous crack been there?'