Firefighters are urging smokers to dispose of cigarettes carefully after a fire at a care home on The Drive in Cranbrook.
Half of the ground and first floors of an end-of-terrace house used as a care home were damaged by fire. Part of the loft was also damaged by the blaze. Two people left the building before the Brigade arrived uninjured.
One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as an observation platform, providing crews with an aerial view of the incident.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the unsafe use of smoking materials.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We’d rather you didn’t smoke at all, but if you are a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it.
"This incident is also a timely reminder to ensure you have working smoke alarms. Residents called 999 after hearing a smoke alarm sounding.
"You should have working smoke alarms in every room where a fire can start, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. They should be tested regularly."
The Brigade was called at 0112 and the fire was under control by 0301. Fire crews from Ilford, Stratford and Leytonstone fire stations attended the scene.