Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a balcony blaze at a block of flats of four floors on Safflower Lane in Harold Wood.
The fire affected the external balcony on the ground, first, second and third floor. The flats connected to the balconies were also badly damaged by fire. Thankfully no one was injured.
The cause of the fire is believed to be the careless disposal of a cigarette.
The Brigade was called at 1450 and the fire was under control by 1540. Fire crews from Harold Hill, Hornchurch, Romford and surrounding fire stations.