Major incident declared as 225 firefighters tackle huge blaze after London tower block is engulfed in flames

Two people have been taken to hospital after a huge fire broke out in an East London building – forcing more than 100 people to flee their homes.

Forty fire engines and 225 firefighters attended the scene on Freshwater Road, Dagenham at 2.44am on Monday.

A major incident has been declared by the London Fire Brigade as residents in the area are asked to keep their windows and doors shut due to the “heavy smoke.”

The fire service said a “significant” search and rescue operation is under way.

Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said the building has a “number of fire safety issues known to the London Fire Brigade”.

Four patients were treated at the scene with two being taken to hospital.

Thick black smoke can still be seen pouring from the building, with flames erupting at times.

London fire brigade said scaffolding surrounding the building, ground floor and the roof were set alight.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “We were called to the incident at 02.44 this morning.

“The first crew arrived within five minutes and the second crew arrived within six minutes.

“An aerial appliance also arrived in under six minutes.

“To allow us to focus our resources on the incident, we have declared a major incident.

“The building has a number of fire safety issues known to London Fire Brigade.

“A full simultaneous evacuation of the building was immediately carried out and a significant search and rescue operation is underway.

“The Brigade’s Control Officers have taken 16 calls to the fire, including successfully giving vital fire survival guidance to a number of people using our Fire Survival Guidance App, which allows information to be exchanged between Control and the incident ground in a timely, accurate and consistent manner.”