A man has died after fire ripped through a block of flats, police have confirmed.
Emergency crews were called to the properties in Beckton, east London, earlier tonight.
There were reports that residents have had to jump from windows to escape the flames.
A large number of fire engines are still in attendance trying to put out the fire which has effected the first and second floors of the block.
Witness describes hearing panicked resident jumping out of window and at the scene told MyLondon: "I was walking past the building before the fire brigade got there.
"I witnessed a person jumping out of the second floor window as was trapped, a sight I never thought I would see."The thud on the ground was horrific, I really hope he was ok. I could not get near as the smoke was affecting my asthma but he did have people around him and he think he got up off the ground."
A spokesperson from the London Fire Brigade said: "Firefighters have been called to a flat fire on Tollgate Road in Beckton.
"The first floor and second floors of the residential block are alight. The staircase from the first to the second floor is also alight. The Brigade was called at 5.24pm.
"Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from East Ham, Plaistow, Barking and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this time."
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at approximately 17:28hrs on Thursday, 6 April to reports of a fire at a block of flats in Tollgate Road, E6.
"Police, LAS and LFB are currently at the scene dealing with the fire.
"It is believed that there has been one fatality and number of others injured. No further details at this stage.
"Enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing. A road closure is in place on Tollgate Road and restriction are in place on Bradley Stone Road and Valiant Way, E6."
Photos from the scene show a row of at least five fire engines in attendance, and two ambulances.
Other pictures show firefighters using a special crane-like device to get up close to the third-floor fire to battle the flames.
