A huge fire in a block of flats took place in a building with "a number of safety issues", according to the LFB, forcing 100 people to be evacuated.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) sent 40 fire engines and 225 firefighters to a block of flats on Freshwater Road, Dagenham, after being called at 2.44am today (August 26).

LFB said the entire building was affected, forcing the evacuation of 100 people, and causing significant alarm among residents.

Four people were treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service, which was called at 2.52am, and two of them were rushed to hospital.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said the building has "a number of safety issues" known to the LFB and declared a "major incident."

Commissioner Roe added: "A full simultaneous evacuation of the building was immediately carried out and a significant search and rescue operation is underway."

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The building in question is a mixed-use residential and commercial space on Freshwater Road.

A huge response ensued following the fire from the LFB, which took 16 calls to the blaze.

Equipment including drones, a 64-metre ladder and a 32-metre turntable ladder were used to tackle the fire.

“The Brigade has stood up full strategic arrangements to deal with the incident and a rest centre has been set up at Beacontree Health and Leisure Centre," Commissioner Roe added.

Fire crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and surrounding stations attended the scene. 

The cause of the fire is not known at this time, LFB added.