A large blaze broke at a brand new block of flats in East London this afternoon with witnesses claiming the building's solar panels appeared to have caught fire.

The roof of Bow Wharf was engulfed by flames leaving it partially collapsed at the scene which was between Bethnal Green and Mile End. Other floors were also damaged.

Shocked crowds gathered to watch as 80 firefighters battled the inferno in the five-floor building with huge plumes of smoke seen billowing into the air.

The trendy 'residential waterside development' - which is still under construction - contains five houses and 19 apartments which were set to sell for as much as £1million each.

One eyewitness who lives opposite the flats told MailOnline: 'Half the roof is either burned away or collapsed.

'They've got a crane with the hose on the flames. They struggled slightly at first with access because it's right beside Regent's Canal.

The roof of Bow Wharf has been engulfed by flames leaving it partially collapsed

Shocked crowds gathered to watch as 80 firefighters battled the inferno in the five-floor building with huge plumes of smoke seen billowing into the air

One eyewitness who lives opposite the flats told MailOnline: 'Half the roof is either burned away or collapsed'

London Fire Brigade confirmed that firefighters were called to a block of flats which are under construction in Mace Street, Bethnal Green, at 11.10am

'I noticed massive billows of smoke when I was leaving my flat so I quickly rushed back and noticed it was the building opposite.

'It's the new block of flats that's been under construction for quite a while now.

'The spread seemed concentrated around the solar panels on the top. It looked a bit like the solar panels were on fire.

'Originally I thought the flames were coming from one of the nearby high rise blocks but then I realised it's a new build that's not finished yet so that was a relief.

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: ‘We have got a 12 pump fire brigade in progress in the Roman Road area of Bethnal Green’

London's fire services are on a heightened state of alert after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in north Kensington which left dozens dead and hundreds more homeless. Pictured is today's fire in east London

'It's quite a contained block because there are no buildings on the other sides.

'It's been under construction for about a year or two - they're not cheap flats either.'

Another local said: 'Crikey, hope no one has moved in yet.'

London Fire Brigade confirmed that firefighters were called to a block of flats which are under construction in Mace Street, Bethnal Green, at 11.10am. It was under control shortly after 2pm and nobody was harmed in the blaze.

A spokeswoman said: ‘We have got a 12 pump fire brigade in progress in the Roman Road area of Bethnal Green.’

It follows another flat blaze in the same area just days ago which saw dozens of firefighters tackling an inferno with flames shooting from the building's windows.

The property's roof was set alight by the inferno and 'destroyed' with terrified locals from neighbouring buildings seen watching on in horror.

London's fire services are on a heightened state of alert after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in north Kensington which left dozens dead and hundreds more homeless.