Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Dunloe Street in Hackney.
Most of a split-level maisonette on the 11th and 12th floors of the building was alight.
Station Commander Stephen Irvine, who was at the scene, said: “Crews worked swiftly to contain the fire to the affected flat and bring the incident under control.
“Drones have been deployed to survey the incident from above, providing live images and thermal imagery. This gives Incident Commanders a vital aerial view, helping them develop effective tactics and assess the area.
“Firefighters will remain on scene throughout the night damping down any remaining hot spots, and our fire investigation team will begin enquiries into the cause of the fire.
“Residents affected by the incident are currently being supported at a local rest centre.”
The Brigade's Control Officers took the first of 33 calls to the fire at 1920 and sent crews from Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Islington, Stoke Newington and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 2020.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.