Three people were taken to hospital last night after a fire broke out in a ground floor flat.

Firefighters from Stratford, East Ham and Plaistow attended the blaze in Plashet Road, Plaistow at 1.30am.

Two people had already escaped from the flat by the time the emergency services arrived and firefighters rescued a third person. All three, thought to be two men and a woman, were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Although the cause of the blaze is under investigation, it is thought to have begun from a candle. It is also believed the flat did not have a smoke alarm.

Half the flat was severely damaged by fire.