Beckton fire: Tributes to girl, 14, killed in blaze as horrified neighbours hear screams with boy, 16, quizzed on murder
TRIBUTES are pouring in for the teenager who was killed when a fire ripped through a block of Beckton flats.
Tiffany Regis, 14, has been named locally as the girl who tragically died in the East London inferno around 5.30pm yesterday.
Pals said Tiffany had been hosting a party at the second-floor flat.
The friends said the teen had wanted to become a make-up artist after she finished school.
One said: “We’re heartbroken. It’s awful. Tiffany was wonderful. Such a lovely girl. She brightened up the world. Everyone around here knew her. Our hearts are shattered.”
A TikTok user added: “So sad. We were outside at the shop when her friend ran past saying Tiff was in there and he was going to get her mum. Heart bleeds for her family.”
The Metropolitan Police today confirmed that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the tragedy.
They added that the fire is being treated as an arson attack.
The exact cause is still unknown, while witnesses described hearing screams as desperate residents jumped from windows to save themselves.
One local told The Sun: “It was absolute chaos yesterday afternoon.
“The screaming was piercing. It was horrific. People were shouting for help and I saw someone jump from the third floor.
“It’s horrific.”
Dramatic images show flames leaping from the windows on the third storey, while crews worked to put the blaze out.
Flowers have been placed at the scene by grieving locals.
Two girls were seen hugging and crying as they left the tributes on the street outside the burnt-out block.
Earlier on this morning, two women, a man and a girl were seen placing six bunches of flowers, including roses and lillies, on the pavement next to police tape.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke added: “We are at the very early stages of our investigation and are still keen to hear from anyone who has information but has not yet spoken with police.
“I would like to thank residents in the immediate area for their co-operation while my team conduct their enquiries.”
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Met on 101, quoting reference 5315/6APR.
Those who wish to make an anonymous report can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.