A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman died in a fire at a block of flats in east London, police have said. At least five other people were taken to hospital with injuries after the incident on Thursday in Beckton in Newham. London ambulance service crews, the London fire brigade and the Metropolitan police attended the scene at around 5.28pm. The LFB said the first and second floors of the residential block were alight, along with the staircase from the first to the second floor. The Met said: “Police were called at approximately 17:28hrs on Thursday 6 April to reports of a fire at a block of flats in Tollgate Road, E6. “Police, LAS and LFB are currently at the scene dealing with the fire. “It is believed that there has been one female fatality and a number of others injured. No further details at this stage. “Inquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing. One male has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. “A road closure is in place on Tollgate Road and restrictions are in place on Bradley Stone Road and Valiant Way, E6.” The LFB said six fire engines and about 40 firefighters from East Ham, Plaistow, Barking and surrounding fire stations were at the scene. An LFB spokesperson said: “The cause of the fire is not known at this time.” An LAS spokesperson said one person died at the scene and paramedics treated five others who were then taken to hospital. “We sent a number of resources to the scene, including five ambulance crews, two incident response officers, an advanced paramedic, a clinical team manager and members of our tactical response unit and hazardous response team,” they said. “We also dispatched London’s air ambulance. We treated five patients before taking them to hospital. Sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.” Local council officers in Newham were also at the scene. Rokhsana Fiaz, the mayor of Newham, wrote on Twitter: “Along with cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Amar Virdee, we are deeply saddened by the news that there has been one fatality already from the fire that broke out in flats in Beckton. “Our deepest condolences to loved ones now in mourning.”