Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters responded to a fire in a hostel on Old Montague Street in Whitechapel.
A flat on the second floor, in a building of five floors, was partly damaged by fire. Two men were treated on scene for smoke inhalation by the London Ambulance Service. There are no reports of any other injuries.
The Brigade was first called at 1401, and the fire was under control by 1456. Crews from Whitechapel, Shoreditch and Bethnal Green fire stations attended the scene.
The fire is believed to have been accidental, caused by a candle.