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Witnesses have described the dramatic rescue of two teenage girls from a house fire.

Firefighters smashed a window to save the girls as they sought refuge from flames in a first floor room of a terraced house in Dames Road, on the Leytonstone border with Forest Gate, at 8.30pm yesterday. 

Both were taken to hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation as the blaze ripped through the home.

The Guardian spoke to people living nearby.

Sue Linge, 62, said: “It all happened so quickly.

"Looking out of the window I saw the flames and the fire engines arriving.

“The two girls were on the first floor and people were calling on them to jump, but they were too scared.

This Is Local London:

The aftermath of the fire last night

"Luckily, the firefighters were quick to smash the window with the ladder and get them out.

“It was a close call because flames were coming out of the windows and smoke was billowing out.

"I remember the smell was horrendous."

It is believed to have been caused by an electric heater, but a London Fire Brigade investigation is ongoing.

Neighbour Bob Gibson, 72, said: “I first noticed something was up when I heard all the emergency services turn up and there was a big crowd outside.

“The firefighters were bashing the wall of the house to get in.

“It was seriously bad.

"Flames were bursting out of the front of the house and I am amazed no one was hurt.”

Melanie Johnstone, 37, witnessed the aftermath as she arrived back from holiday.

She said the terraced house was poorly maintained.

“I am not surprised this happened with that particular property," she added.

"I have lived here for five years and it has been falling down bit by bit for a while.

“It was in a decrepit state and when a house is so neglected it becomes dangerous.”