Four people were taken to hospital after a house was destroyed in a fire.

Emergency services flooded Newick Road, Clapton, after receiving 31 calls at 12.42pm today (March 20).

The ground floor and first floor of the three-storey house was destroyed by the blaze.

Three people left the building before the London Fire Brigade’s arrival and four were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

This Is Local London: Smoke rising in the areaSmoke rising in the area (Image: Andy Vella)

Station Commander Alan Bendell, who attended the scene, said: “Crews worked hard to bring the fire under control and stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties."

He warned locals during the blaze to keep their windows and doors closed for the time being.

This Is Local London: A London Ambulance Service in the areaA London Ambulance Service in the area (Image: @ScottPheby)

Lower Clapton Road was blocked both ways due to the fire, with queuing traffic in the area and several bus routes diverted.

Photographs showed thick black smoke rose covering parts of Clapton.

A London Air Ambulance also landed near the scene while police worked to block the roads.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters helped with the incident. The fire was eventually under control by 3.28pm.

 The cause of the fire is not yet known, the London Fire Brigade said.