A flat fire in Spitalfields forced two adults and four children out of their homes last night as firefighters spent over two hours tackling the blaze.

Around 30 firefighters and six fire engines were called to a three-storey building in Hanbury Street at 9.15pm.

The six residents had already got out and firefighters from Bethnal Green, Dowgate, Kingsland, Shadwell, Shoreditch and Whitechapel had the fire under control by 11.30pm.

There were no injuries.

Watch Manager Steve Cotter, from Whitechapel fire station, who was at the scene, said: “We could see the flames coming out of the building when we arrived.

“Crews worked hard to contain the fire to the roof of the flat and fortunately managed to prevent it from spreading further.”

The roof and top floor of the building, which has a commercial unit on the ground floor and residential flats on the top two floors, were damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.