LONDON - At least 250 households and several businesses have been made suddenly homeless after structural issues were discovered in five blocks of flats in Canning Town, east London. The evacuation of the Caxton Works development, also known as Royal Gateway, began on the morning of 23 October without prior notice. Residents of the five towers - Centurion Tower, St Vincent Court, Sovereign Tower, Thanet Tower and Prince Tower - have been instructed not to return home until further notice. Building manager Prime Property Management had previously warned that structural engineers had identified an "imminent risk to life" linked to a transfer slab beneath the blocks. The five blocks were built about nine years ago by Galliard Homes and are occupied by private tenants or leaseholders. On Monday, the towers were pictured plastered with posters warning of a "danger to life". Residents have been seen moving suitcases, plants and other belongings from the buildings, along with a removal van. One man told the BBC he had no elsewhere to go and said the mortgage on the flat he shares with his wife and two young children was his "entire investment". He added: "For a nine-year-old building, it's really concerning." Residents are currently paying upfront for hotel accommodation after being evacuated from their homes.