Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire at a flat on Jodrell Road in Hackney.
Part of a flat on the 13th floor of a 20 storey block was damaged by the fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led one man to safety via an internal staircase. Another man left the building before the Brigade arrived. They were both treated on scene for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. Firefighters also led two children to safety. They were uninjured. Crews also rescued two cats.
The Brigade was called at 1424 and the fire was under control by 1515. Fire crews from Homerton, Stratford, Leyton, Poplar, Shoreditch and Bethnal Green fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.