Hundreds of residents are left in limbo after a 'disastrous' crack forces a 3am evacuation of two east London towers

Letters apparently from managing agent Prime warned that the cracked concrete slab posed an "imminent risk to life" and could bring the buildings down. Some tenants received notification of the defect by email on Thursday afternoon, yet the evacuation of roughly 210 households from Hoy Street, Canning Town, was not completed until 3am on Friday. Newham Council and Prime Property Management then held a crisis meeting at the site.

One resident said: 'We have been offered nothing in the way of support yet.'

Whole families stood freezing on the street, many wearing only nightwear and dressing gowns.

Residents are asking how long the crack was there and whether the towers met building codes.