Firefighters have issued a reminder of their smoking safety advice following a fire at a block of flats on New Village Avenue in Poplar.
Around half of the balcony of a fifth floor flat was damaged by the fire. There are no reports of any injuries.
One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was used as an observation tower to provide the Incident Commander with an aerial view of the fire.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and was caused by the unsafe disposal of a cigarette.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "While we’d rather you didn’t smoke at all, if you are a smoker, it’s vital you make sure that your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it and disposed of responsibly. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life.
“A single careless act, such as a discarded cigarette, can have devastating consequences - threatening lives, destroying multiple homes and displacing families in a matter of minutes.
“If you are smoking on a balcony, remember that non-smokers are reliant on others to put their cigarettes right out when they’ve finished them. Make sure you dispose of your smoking materials safely in an ashtray and never drop ash or throw cigarettes from balconies.
“If you’re worried about a neighbour’s cigarette setting your balcony alight, you can reduce the risk by clearing any flammable items from the area.”
Control Officers took the first of seven calls at 1750 and mobilised four fire engines and around 25 firefighters to the scene from Poplar, Plaistow, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 1854.