A long-standing church hall has been damaged in a blaze which prompted firefighters to rush to the scene.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) were alerted to a blaze in the church hall near St Andrews CoFE Parish Church at 12.30am today (April 11) which had damaged several parts of the building.
LFB said the fire produced heavy smoke and people nearby the disused church hall on St Andrews road were told to keep doors and windows shut as a safety measure.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters responded and dealt with the blaze that had damaged the church hall's ground floor, first floor and roof.
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Firefighters had the fire under control by 3.01am, over two-and-a-half hours after the brigade was called.
Crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Hainault and nearby fire stations attended the scene.
Firefighters attacked the blaze, the cause of which remains under investigation, from above using a 32 metre ladder.
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