Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire at a block of flats on Collent Street in Hackney.
The living room in a second floor flat was damaged by the fire. A man, a woman and two children left the affected flat before the Brigade arrived. One of the children was taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation as a precaution and the other three were treated on scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews. A further 20 people left the building before the Brigade arrived.
Station Commander Dean Wilkinson, who was at the scene, said: "Crews were faced with a very well developed fire on arrival and worked hard to contain the blaze to the room of origin.
"The living room was badly damaged and although the rest of the flat wasn't damaged by the fire, there was significant smoke damage throughout as internal doors were left open.
"In the event of a fire, you should get out, stay out and close internal doors where possible as this can help reduce the spread of fire and smoke."
The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 26 calls to the blaze.
The Brigade was called at 1126 and the fire was under control by 1247. Fire crews from Bethnal Green, Stoke Newington, Shadwell, Islington and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the blaze was caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.
• Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
• Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.
• It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
• Don't balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire.
• Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
• Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.