A man was taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a derelict church in Forest Gate overnight.

Firefighters were called to the disused church and community hall in Woodgrange Road just before 11pm yesterday (Thursday, March 4).

Part of the ground floor of the building was damaged by the blaze, which was under control within an hour.

Station Commander Jim Ryan, who was at the scene, said: “Crews arrived to find a fire at a building which was previously used as a church and community hall.

“One man had left the building before the brigade arrived and firefighters carried out a search of the property as a precaution.

“Woodgrange Road was closed between Osborne Road and Romford Road whilst crews worked to make the scene safe.”

Six fire engines and around 40 crew members from the Stratford, Leytonstone, East Ham, Leyton and Ilford stations were at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.