Firefighters have determined the cause of a flat fire above a former snooker hall in Hornchurch, after two people were taken to hospital.

The blaze on North Street, at the corner of High Street, resulted in most of the three-room flat on the second floor of the building being destroyed on December 1.

Crews were called at 2.44pm and one man managed to escape before the London Fire Brigade arrived.

Another man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

In a new update by the London Fire Brigade, the fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by an electric fan heater left too close to combustible items.

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service says that two people were then taken to hospital.

Eventually the fire was under control by 4.17pm.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were at the scene.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The rise in energy costs means there’s a very real risk of heating-related fires. We know that people will turn to alternative ways to keep their families warm overnight without turning on the heating, we just want to make sure that people are staying safe at the same time.

“It’s absolutely vital that heaters are kept well away from curtains, furniture, paperwork and are never used to dry clothes. Always sit at least a metre away from the heater as it could set fire to your clothes or your chair, supervise children carefully and position a heater where it won’t be knocked over and away from pets.

“It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure these items are safety registered and in good working order. If you’re using these items around children always supervise them carefully and place heaters somewhere where they won’t be accidentally knocked over and away from anything that could catch fire.”