A woman has been rushed to hospital after a major fire at a care home in east London, the fire service confirmed.
Two flats were completely decimated in the inferno as 60 people were evacuated from the building in Mavis Grove, Hornchurch, in the early hours of Tuesday.
London Fire Brigade, which dispatched more than 100 firefighters in 15 fire engines to the scene from just before 1am, said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
Overnight, LFB asked nearby residents to keep their doors and windows closed - despite the stiflingly hot temperatures amid the heatwave - due to the “thick black smoke”.
Part of the building's roof was also in flames.
The fire was under control by just after 4am.
Fire crews from Hornchurch, Harold Hill, Romford, Wennington and surrounding fire stations were at the scene, added LFB.
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Station Lane in Hornchurch remains blocked between the High Street and The Avenue, while Mavis Grove is also closed.
The fire service said in a statement: "Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Mavis Grove in Hornchurch.
"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.
"The cause of the fire is under investigation."
While the country is facing scorching temperatures, the fire brigade said people faced a risk from the smoke and should keep windows and doors closed.
"The fire on Mavis Grove in #Hornchurch is producing a lot of thick black smoke. We know it’s a hot night but if you live nearby please close your doors and windows," the fire service tweeted amid the battle.
It added at around 4am, just before the fire was brought under control: "Steady progress is being made at the #Hornchurch fire. Crews will be at the scene for several hours to come. No reports of any injuries."
It has been a busy time for fire crews up and down the country due to the extreme temperatures.
They have been called to people getting into difficulty in water as well as fires and other problems caused by the weather conditions.
A major fire broke out at a hazardous waste plant in Middlewich, Cheshire, that saw 10 engines sent to the scene on Monday night.
The blaze began just after 8.30pm at industrial premises on Brooks Lane in Middlewich, according to emergency services.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has urged nearby residents to keep their windows and doors shut.
The service tweeted: "Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and nearby residents are urged to keep their windows and doors shut given the large smoke plume.
"Bystanders should clear the area."
No casualties have been reported, the service said.
Footage on social media shows columns of thick black smoke billowing out from the site of BIP Environmental, a waste management and transfer station which specialises in the disposal of hazardous waste, chemicals and more.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue said 10 fire engines were sent to the scene, along with an aerial ladder platform and high volume pump.
