A woman was found dead by firefighters tackling a blaze in Forest Gate in the early hours of this morning.

Newham Recorder: The street is cordoned off outside 302 Romford Road where Newham fire crews were called to a flat blaze in the early hours of the day.The street is cordoned off outside 302 Romford Road where Newham fire crews were called to a flat blaze in the early hours of the day. (Image: Archant)

Six fire engines with around 35 firefighters attended the fire at Garland House, near the junction of Upton Lane, after the London Fire Brigade were called at 03.37am.

Newham Recorder: The street is cordoned off outside 302 Romford Road where Newham fire crews were called to a flat blaze in the early hours of the day.The street is cordoned off outside 302 Romford Road where Newham fire crews were called to a flat blaze in the early hours of the day. (Image: Archant)

A spokesman for the brigade said: “A body was found by fire crews, the identity has not yet been confirmed.

A further 15 people, including three children, in surrounding flats managed to get out of their flats before we arrived.”

A spokeswoman for London Ambulance said their staff checked over 15 people, none of who were injured.

A police spokeswoman said “The fire is being treated as suspicious at this early stage, pending examination of the scene.”

Newham Police is investigating while London Fire Brigade investigators are also at the scene. No arrests have been made.

About 35 people were evacuated from the block as a precaution and many of the homes suffered smoke or water damage, according to the police spokeswoman.

The fire was under control around 5am and the flat was said to be badly damaged.

Fire fighters from Stratford, Bow, Leyton and Leytonstone attended the fire.