A fire in a block of high-rise flats in east London has been brought under control, the London Fire Brigade said.

Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers were called to the blaze in Wellington Way, Mile End, at 12.28pm.

Half of a 12th floor flat was alight, and the blaze was under control by 13.51pm.

The brigade’s 999 control officers took more than 90 calls relating to the blaze, and around 40 people left the building before firefighters arrived.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, and is being investigated.

The building affected is Grafton House, one of EastendHomes’ 10 tower blocks.

Police have cordoned off part of Wellington Way to the public and are urging residents to make their way to the nearby Merchant Street community centre for advice.

Meanwhile East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is attending a serious fire in Playden near Rye, where around 70 people were evacuated from two domestic properties, one of which was well alight.

Six fire engines were at the scene and people were being asked to avoid the area and stay away from the smoke.

One person has been treated for smoke inhalation and is being looked after by the ambulance service, and the evacuated residents were taken to a local school.

The fire and rescue service tweeted: “Power supplies may be affected in the immediate area of Playden Rye as we tackle a serious fire – apologies for the inconvenience. Please keep doors and windows closed if you live nearby to avoid smoke.”