A major incident has been declared after more than 100 people were evacuated and two taken to hospital as a fire engulfed a block of flats in Dagenham, east London, which had “known” safety issues. The London fire brigade (LFB) said it was carrying out a “significant search and rescue operation” after being called to the blaze on Freshwater Road at 2.44am on Monday. Forty-five engines and about 225 firefighters responded to the fire that engulfed the whole mixed-use commercial and residential building, including scaffolding surrounding the property and the roof, the LFB added. Work had been under way to remove non-compliant cladding on the flats, the BBC reported, adding the fire brigade had said the building had a “number of fire safety issues” known to officials. The cause of the fire is not yet known. As search and rescue efforts continued, a rest centre had been set up for residents. The home secretary thanked firefighters and other emergency workers for their “bravery and swift response”. Yvette Cooper said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the major fire incident in Dagenham. I thank London fire brigade and all emergency services on the ground for their bravery and swift response.” Ministers were being kept updated on the incident, she added. London ambulance service said four people were treated at the scene and two were taken to hospital. At about 7.30am, the fire service said the blaze was producing heavy smoke and advised people to keep windows and doors closed. The “terrible scenes” resulted in “minimal” injuries due to the swift response of the emergency services, according to the local MP, Margaret Mullane. The LFB commissioner, Andy Roe, said it had declared a major incident to allow the service to focus its resources on the fire. He added: “The building has a number of fire safety issues known to London fire brigade. A full simultaneous evacuation of the building was immediately carried out and a significant search and rescue operation is under way. “The brigade has stood up full strategic arrangements to deal with the incident and a rest centre has been set up at Becontree health and leisure centre. “LFB officers are stationed at the rest centre to support residents.” Drones were deployed to help tackle the blaze, along with 64- and 32-metre turntable ladders, which were being used as vantage points to assess the scene and to douse the flames with water from above, Roe said. Dinesh Raj, whose six-year-old daughter was having a sleepover with friends in the building when the fire broke out, told the BBC the children were “calm now” but were “terrified” initially. Raj said he received a call at about 3am from his friend who was looking after his daughter, telling him there was a fire in the building. Raj said he rushed to the scene in his car and that his friend’s family grabbed their six-month-old baby and his daughter and got out as soon as they smelled smoke. One person who lives on the first floor of the building told the BBC he was woken in the early hours by one of his neighbours frantically banging on his door, which she was doing to all the flats in the corridor. He said he saw “explosive” flames and was relieved to get out safely. Crews from Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Barking and surrounding fire stations attended the scene, and Freshwater Road remained closed to traffic. The LFB urged people to avoid the area if possible. Mullane, the MP for Dagenham and Rainham, said on X: “Terrible scenes in Dagenham this morning as @LondonFire tackle the blaze at Freshwater Rd. “Thanks to their rapid response injury was minimal. I will be visiting the rescue centre today to see what help and support I can offer the residents and businesses who have lost everything.”