An unattended candle is believed to have caused a fire in a flat in Bigland Street, Shadwell.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters attended the incident in a second floor flat. One woman was led to safety. Fifteen other people left the block of flats before fire crews arrived. The flat was badly damaged by fire.
The cause of the fire is believed to be an unattended candle on a bedside cabinet, which came into contact with clothing hanging on the back of a door.
The Brigade was called at 1811 and the fire was under control by 1950.
Crews from Shadwell, Whitechapel, Bethnal Green, Islington, Shoreditch and Dowgate attended the incident.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Candles are one of the most common causes of fire. It’s really important that you never leave a candle unattended and keep them away from anything else that can easily catch fire.”