Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a block of flats in Ratcliffe Cross Street, Limehouse.
Half of an open air refuse area and half of a first floor balcony were damaged by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade was called at 0417 and the fire was under control by 0506. Fire crews from Shadwell, Whitechapel, Poplar and Bethnal Green stations attended the incident.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.