Dozens of firefighters have tackled a huge blaze at a block of flats in London that huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as flames shot 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 on Saturday evening.

It comes just days after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in north Kensington which has left an estimated 79 dead and hundreds more without homes.

Bethnal Green Road was closed as 72 firefighters tackled the blaze with 10 engines sent to the scene.

Firefighters were pictured arriving at the scene in Bethnal Green this evening

Flames shot from the windows with thick black smoke billowing into the sky above Turin Street

Firefighters used hoses to tackle the blaze with officials confirming 10 engines had been sent to the scene

London Fire Brigade said flames had engulfed a third floor flat and then spread to the roof of the the four-storey building.

A spokesman said one person was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Labour MP Rushanara Ali, who was at the scene, told MailOnline: 'There are police officers and fire service personnel dealing with it - there's still smoke.

'I've been here for the last 45 minutes or so and they're just trying to take control of the situation.

Bethnal Green Road was closed as firefighters tackled the raging inferno

A spokesman said one person has been treated for the effects of smoke inhalation

Labour MP Rushanara Ali, who is at the scene, told MailOnline: 'There are police officers and fire service personnel dealing with it - there's still smoke.

'It's settling down and it seems like they've got a handle on it.

It comes as officials safety test cladding in buildings across the country amid fears that the material allowed the Grenfell blaze to spread quickly through the 24 floors.

Hundreds of families were last night evacuated from tower blocks in the Chalcots Estate in Camden amid safety concerns.

Ms Ali continued: 'People are very concerned - I've spent most of the day visiting residents around my constituency particularly where there are concerns about cladding.

'There is a real anxiety about whether their housing stock is secure which I know people will be feeling around the city and country.

London Fire Brigade said flames had engulfed a third floor flat and then spread to the roof of the the four-storey building

At one point the roof of the flats was fully ablaze with smoke seen billowing into the sky

The building's roof appeared to have been completely burned out in the blaze this evening

Smoke could still be seen rising from the property long after the fire had been put out

'This building today is not a high rise and we don't want to get into speculating on the cause but there is a general mood of anxiety - why is this happening, how are these fires happening?

'We expect regulation to work and in Grenfell tower's case they can see that it hasn't.

'People are being incredibly calm, this is a community that is very resilient so they will support each other - there are lots of strong connections and neighbourliness around here.

'But you can't get away from fact people are very anxious and upset at scenes that they've seen in recent weeks following the Grenfell fire.'

A haze of smoke remained in the air after the blaze was extinguished

Officials said 10 fire engines had been sent to the scene of the blaze in Bethnal Green

'It's really important for MPs to be here, we have the local ward councillor here working closely with officers of housing associations and the council so it's really important people need to be able to ask questions.'

A spokesmann for the London Fire Brigade said: 'Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters and officers tackled a flat fire on Turin Street in Bethnal Green this afternoon.

'The whole of a flat on the third floor was gutted by fire. The whole of the roof was also destroyed. The Brigade's 999 control took nearly 50 calls.

'A man was suffering from smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

'The Brigade was called at 1625 and the fire was under control by 1930. Firefighters from Bethnal Green and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.'