Emergency services were called to the fire in Grafton House, in Mile End at around 12.30pm on Friday. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said half of a flat on the 12th storey of the tower had caught alight, while flames had also spread to a small section of the 13th floor. Around 44 people left the building before emergency crews arrived on scene, while a further two were led to safety by firefighters. LFB said there had been no reported injuries during the incident.

A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said three people were assessed at the scene, but no one was taken to hospital. The fire sent a large plume of smoke billowing into the air, which was visible across the capital.