Shadwell death: Girl, 11, dies as chemicals found in east London building

Paramedics were first called to Sutton Street on Saturday afternoon at about 16:00 GMT

An 11-year-old girl has died after "a quantity of chemicals" were discovered by firefighters in a building in east London.

The child was found unresponsive at an address on Sutton Street in Shadwell on Saturday at about 16:00 GMT, the Met Police said.

She was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

Police said three other people reported feeling unwell in the same building and were also taken to hospital.

Their condition is not yet known, the Met said.

London Fire Brigade carried out checks in the building and found "a quantity of chemicals".

'Evacuated'

The Met said the chemicals were believed to be used for pest control.

A spokesman added: "They will be safely removed and an investigation will be carried out to determine how they came to be in the building.

"Other residents in the block were evacuated as a precaution and are being looked after by the local authority."

Detectives are investigating but the Met said it was not being treated as a criminal investigation.

Currently the girl's death is being treated as unexplained. Her next of kin have been informed.

MP for Poplar and Limehouse Apsana Begum tweeted that her thoughts and prayers were with the girl and her loved ones and she offered support to constituents who were evacuated.

At the scene

BBC London's Jamie Moreland

Police officers have been standing outside Nida House since the chemicals were found

Next to the rattling rails of the DLR tracks, one local resident told me of the "calm community" and his surprise at seeing lots of emergency vehicles arriving on Saturday.

The block of flats affected is private rented accommodation and nearby council properties are unaffected.

Two masked police officers remain guarding the entrance to Nida House, beside yellow 'hazard zone' tape.

The block of flats has been evacuated until it is confirmed to be safe, but windows had been left open and lights left on inside the empty building.

"It's devastating. You don't expect the passing of a young child" - Councillor Rabina Khan said, fighting back tears as I spoke to her outside.

The local councillor had visited the property just weeks earlier to discuss with residents saving a nearby swimming pool from closure and was shocked an incident like this could happen here.

"The police, the fire officers and other specialists are working diligently to make sure we can get some answers", Ms Khan added.