45 fire engines and around 225 firefighters responded to the fire, which engulfed the mixed-use commercial and residential building on Freshwater Road, including the scaffolding surrounding the building and the roof.

Patrick Goulbourne, deputy chief of the London Fire Brigade, said the first three fire engines arrived within six minutes.

More than 80 people were evacuated to safety by firefighters, he said, adding that 20 rescues had also taken place, “including with the help of fire escape hoods, which can provide clean, filtered air for 15 minutes in smoke-filled environments.”

“The London Fire Service is aware of numerous fire safety issues in the building,” said Deputy Fire Chief Goulbourne, paying tribute to the emergency services who fought the fire “in extremely dangerous conditions.”

Four people were treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service (LAS), two others were taken to hospital.

The cause of the fire is still unclear, but according to a Facebook post by a contractor, the building’s “non-compliant” exterior cladding has just been removed., external

Questions about the role of the cladding in the fire would be “part” of the “comprehensive” investigation into the incident, the LFB said.

Meanwhile, residents have been taken to a rest area set up at a nearby recreation center.

Deputy Fire Commissioner Goulbourne urged people to avoid the area and asked residents to keep doors and windows closed as the fire was still producing heavy smoke.

A resident of the first floor of the building told the BBC that he was woken up in the early hours of Monday morning by one of his neighbours banging furiously on his door.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said his neighbor did the same thing to all the apartments in the hallway.

He said he saw “explosive” flames and was relieved to get out safely.