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A major incident was declared by police after firefighters battled a huge blaze at a block of flats in east London.

Fifteen engines and around 100 firefighters were called to the fire on De Pass Gardens, Barking, London Fire Brigade said.

The ground floor to the sixth floor was alight and 20 flats were completely destroyed by the inferno. A further 10 flats were also damaged by heat and smoke, the force added.

Pictures showed part of the building engulfed by flames with black smoke billowing into the air.

One man and one woman were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

The London Ambulance Service said it was called at 3.30pm on Sunday and sent two ambulance crews, two solo responders and its Hazardous Area Response Team.

A spokeswoman for the LAS said: "We have a tactical commander and our command support vehicle at the scene. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“There are no reports of any injuries at the moment.”

A witness, who lives opposite the block of flats, said several hundred people had gathered outside to watch as emergency services battle the blaze.

Venilia Batista Amorim told the Standard the new-build, called Samuel Garside House is five years old and houses a mixture of families, pensioners and disabled people in two to three-bedroom properties.

Each section of the building is home to about 30 to 40 people, she added. Barking Riverside London has been approached by the Standard for a comment.

From speaking to those near to the fire, she said she believes only a few people had been treated for smoke inhalation by the LAS.

The 41-year-old said: “Everyone has come out of the building, there’s only been a few people treated for some inhalation.

“I live right across from the building, but police officers won’t allow me to open the windows, for smoke. There’s about eight or nine fire engines and there’s multiple police cars here.”

Ms Amorim added there was efforts being made by the local residents' association to find overnight accommodation for those who may have lost their homes.

Nearby residents had been evacuated and road closures were also put in place by the police.

The force added it is assisted the LFB and dubbed it as a "major incident".

Dramatic video footage from the scene showed residents fleeing the burning building.

In a statement, the LFB said: "Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to a fire at a block of flats on De Pass Gardens in Barking.

"The ground floor to the sixth floor of the block was alight. Twenty flats were destroyed by fire and a further ten were also damaged by heat and smoke.

"One man and one woman were treated on scene suffering from smoke inhalation. Fortunately no other injuries are reported. The Brigade was called at 3.30pm and the blaze was under control by 6.05pm. Fire crews from Barking, Dagenham, East Ham and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation."

Station manager Andy Maloney said at the scene: "Crews are continuing to work really hard to put the fire out.

"Any residents who are affected by the fire are advised to go to the rest centre at Thames View Community Centre on Bastable Road. Transport is available from De Pass Gardens to take people there."

Barking and Dagenham Council said it was at the scene working with the emergency services.

The local authority tweeted: "Council staff are at the scene, working with the emergency services. The block has been evacuated and everyone is safe, with people being assisted at our rest centre at Thames View Community Centre, Bastable Road. If you live nearby & are concerned please go to the rest centre."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also said he was in touch with the local council about the fire.