Five fire engines and around 35 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Hatch Grove, Chadwell Heath in Barking and Dagenham.
Most of a three-roomed flat on the seventh floor of a 17 storey building was damaged by the fire. Around 50 people left the building before the Brigade arrived. Sadly, one woman died at the scene.
The Brigade was called at 2006 and the fire was under control at 2116. Fire crews from Dagenaham, Romford and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.