Six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a block of maisonettes in Queenswood Gardens, Wanstead Park this morning.
Part of a maisonette on the second and third floors of the building was damaged by fire.
Approximately 25 people were led to safety by an internal staircase by firefighters and two people were rescued by a nine metre ladder.
The Brigade was called at 0113 and the fire was under control at 0425. Fire crews from Leytonstone, Stratford, Leyton, Plaistow and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.