Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire at a block of flats on Hackney Road in Bethnal Green.
Firefighters tackled a fire on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the six storey building, which caused significant damage to the property. Four people and a dog were rescued from the building by firefighters, one was rescued via a ladder, another was carried down by firefighters and two were rescued using fire escape hoods. There were no injuries reported.
Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.
The Brigade's 999 Control officers received the first of 18 calls alerting them to the fire at 0657. They mobilised crews from Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Shadwell, Dowgate, Homerton, Islington and Dockhead fire stations who remain at the scene. The fire was under control by 0809.
The cause of the fire will be investigated by the Brigade's Fire Investigation Unit.