An 11-year-old girl has died after pest control chemicals were found at a block of flats in Tower Hamlets. Three other people were taken to hospital.

Paramedics were called to Nida House in Shadwell on Saturday afternoon. The victim, Fatiha Sabrin, was taken to hospital and died later that day.

The Metropolitan police said in a statement: “A sweep of the building was carried out by the London Fire Brigade and a quantity of chemicals – believed to be used for pest control – were discovered. Work is underway to remove the chemicals from the property.”

Residents are currently not allowed to access their properties. Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett, policing commander for Tower Hamlets said: “All other residents in the building were evacuated as a precaution and we understand that it is very distressing for them to be away from their homes. We are working closely with the local authority to ensure residents’ needs are being met and to provide timely updates as to when they may be allowed back into their properties.”

The Met said: “Fatiha’s death is being treated as unexplained and is being investigated by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.”

Fatiha’s school, Buttercup Primary School, have since been told that her writing will be published after she had entered the Young Writers Competition.

The school’s headteacher, Zara Rahman, paid tribute to Fatiha in a moving statement to the BBC. She called her “an intelligent girl” who was “thoughtful about others.”

“She was always there, keen to help others… she was a really kind, thoughtful child.”

“She had strong dreams of wanting to help the community and becoming a medical professional. Her friends are devastated by her empty seat in class.”

On twitter, mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs said: “My thoughts and those of TH Councillors are with the family and others in Sutton Street following the chemical incident in Neda House E1 in which a young girl lost her life, others evacuated with some in hospital. We will support the families.” He laid flowers at the scene on Sunday.

Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, tweeted: My thoughts and prayers are with her and her loved ones. I am following up to support constituents including everyone who was evacuated and in care of Tower Hamlets council.”

One woman and a child remain in hospital with non life-threatening injuries.