Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters tackled a fire on Dalston Lane in Hackney.
The roof of a four-storey residential block was destroyed by fire. One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. There were no reports of any other injuries.
Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster, who was at the scene, said: "Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes of the first emergency call and were faced with a large and developing fire mostly affecting the roof of a four-storey block of flats and maisonettes.
"Analysing footage streamed to Control Officers from a member of the public reporting the fire, additional resources were immediately mobilised to the scene by Control Officers, including an aerial ladder.
"Crews wearing breathing apparatus focused their efforts on tackling the fire in the roof of the property. Two of our 32 metre turntable ladders were deployed at the scene to fight the fire from above and provide the Incident Commander with an increased situational awareness of the fire. Although significant damage has been sustained to the building’s roof, firefighters’ hard and professional work has helped restrict the amount of damage caused to flats within the block, though some properties have sustained some fire and smoke damage. Most importantly, no one was seriously hurt with one woman treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service for minor smoke inhalation.
"Residents in the surrounding area were advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke in the area. There was significant travel disruption and I’d like to thank emergency service colleagues who helped keep the public a safe distance from the incident in what was an extremely busy and challenging scene.
"Around 50 affected residents were kindly relocated to a nearby church. Our firefighters and officers provided support to them during what was undoubtedly a difficult situation for them. They also safely escorted some residents to collect any vital possessions and medication. We also liaised with the local authority and housing association to support residents. Local firefighters, officers and our Community Engagement team are available to provide support to the local community over the coming days.
"Crews were on scene throughout the night dampening down. We remain there this morning monitoring any hotspots and our Fire Investigation team will also be in attendance, alongside our scientific advisors, in order to try and establish a cause for this fire.
"I’d also like to thank our Control Officers who ensured crews were still available to respond to other incidents in the area whilst this incident was ongoing. It was a busy 12 hours for the Brigade with more than six appliances each mobilised to a further two residential fires in London over this period."
The Brigade's Control Officers received more than 35 calls about the fire.
The Brigade was called at 1721 and the fire was brought under control by 1925. Crews from Homerton, Stoke Newington, Bethnal Green, Walthamstow and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.