A woman was rushed to hospital and 60 pensioners were evacuated from a care home in Hornchurch, east London, after a fire broke out on the second floor.
Around 100 firefighters and more than a dozen fire engines were called to the blaze which completely gutted two flats just before 1am on Tuesday.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) posted footage of firefighters dousing down the destroyed roof of Draper Court, a retirement home in Mavis Grove.
The force urged neighbours to close windows despite sweltering overnight temperatures as the fire caused thick black smoke.
An LFB spokesman said: “Two second floor flats were destroyed by the blaze and part of the roof were damaged. Around 60 people evacuated the building before the Brigade arrived.
“One woman was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
“The Brigade was called at 0055 and the fire was under control by 0402.
“Fire crews from Hornchurch, Harold Hill, Romford, Wennington and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.”
They added the cause of the fire is under investigation.
