Two teenage girls were taken to hospital after being rescued from a house fire in Forest Gate last night.

Firefighters used a ladder and smashed a bedroom window to rescue the two girls from the fire, which damaged the ground and first floors of the terraced property in Dames Road.

The girls were given fire survival guidance by 999 Control Officers until firefighters arrived.

They were treated for smoke inhalation and were rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital for further treatment.

Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters from Leyton, Leytonstone, Stratford and Plaistow attended the incident at about 8.30pm.

Station Manager Tim Frost who was at the scene said: “This was a challenging incident and our crews did exceptionally well.

“Both floors of the house, the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom, were well alight when they arrived.

“The girls managed to get themselves to a side bedroom and firefighters pitched a ladder before smashing the bedroom window and bringing them down. Undoubtedly their quick actions tonight saved both girls’ lives.”

The blaze was under control by about 10pm.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.