Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a six-storey block of flats on Sackett Road in Barking.
A small area of the kitchen in the four-roomed flat on the second floor of the building was destroyed by fire. There were no injuries reported.
About 30 residents from other flats in the block left the building before the Brigade arrived.
Station Officer Phil Parsons, who was at the scene, said: “On arrival, we saw thick black smoke issuing from the balcony of the property, suggesting that oil or plastic was involved in the blaze. Crews worked quickly to get the fire under control and stop it spreading to neighbouring flats.
“We were pleased to see that a working heat alarm was fitted and sounding in the kitchen and smoke alarms were sounding in the flat.”
Smoke alarms detect smoke – fit them in all rooms where a fire might start. But in smoky or steamy rooms like your kitchen or bathroom, a heat alarm is more suitable.
Smoke and fire alarm must-knows:
Don't just fit a smoke alarm in your hall and landing– also fit them in any room where a fire can start. For example, any room where you smoke or leave appliances plugged in.
Smoke alarms are not suitable for kitchens but heat alarms are. Fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen will give you warning of an increase in temperature caused by a fire but will not be set off by cooking fumes.
Some battery or mains alarms can be interlinked, so that when one alarm detects a fire they all go off together, giving you warning wherever you are in your home. This is particularly important where a person has any issues that may prevent or delay their escape to ensure they are alerted to a fire as soon as possible.
If you choose to have a mains-powered alarm, make sure it's installed by a qualified electrician.
It's also possible to fit extra automatic 'fire suppression' systems at home – that's things like sprinklers. These are a great idea if there's anything that might prevent you escaping quickly.
The Brigade was called at 0941 and the fire was under control by 1008. Fire crews from Barking, East Ham, Plaistow and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.
The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical arc that damaged a gas pipe.