Firefighters have issued a reminder of their smoking safety advice following a fire on Bridport Place in Hoxton.
A flat on the ground floor of the two storey building was destroyed by the fire. Five people left the building before the Brigade arrived and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. A further four people were treated on scene.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and was caused by the unsafe use of smoking materials.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you smoke it is vitally important you stub it right out, preferably in an ashtray.
"Always ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire.
"Firefighters recommend that you have a look at our online Home Fire Safety Checker to make sure there are no hidden hazards in your home.
"The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
Control Officers took the first of 15 calls at 2053 and mobilised six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Islington, Bethnal Green, Euston and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 2259.