A man, woman and child were forced to flee a flat during a fire at a nine-storey block of flats last night.

Eight fire engines and 60 firefighters fought the flames at the third-floor flat in Post Office Approach, Forest Gate.

The trio made it out of the five-roomed flat before the fire brigade arrived.

The woman and child were treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics.

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: “We were called at 6.31pm and the fire was under control by 8.19pm. Fire crews from Leyton, Leytonstone, Plaistow, Shadwell and surrounding stations attended the scene.”

A part of the flat was damaged by the fire.

Fire investigators believe the cause was a pan of oil which caught fire after it was left unattended on a hob.

The LFB spokeswoman said: “You should never leave cooking unattended.

“If you have to leave the room or the house, turn the heat off before you do.”