Approximately 100 people living in a 16-storey residential block had to vacate their homes yesterday evening as a result of a fire.

Firefighters were called to Victoria Gardens in Victoria Road, Plaistow, at 6.35pm to tackle a fire on the balcony of a seventh-floor flat.

Residents were not able to re-enter the building until 10.22pm, although the blaze was brought under control at 7.10pm.

No-one was thought to be injured.

Police assisted by helping to move people with disabilities out of the block and implementing local road closures.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.