A woman has died after a fire at a care home for people with learning disabilities.

More than 70 firefighters tackled the blaze after being called to Connington Crescent in Chingford, east London, just before 2.15am on Friday.

Part of the ground and first floors were damaged by fire and the second floor and roof were completely destroyed in the three-storey block, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

A spokesman said a woman was confirmed dead at the scene. He added that 12 people had left the block before they arrived and another 16 people had been evacuated from neighbouring properties.

Local MP and former Tory Party leader Iain Duncan Smith described it as a “terrible tragedy”.

He added: “My heart goes out to the victims.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Greatly saddened by the horrific fire at a Chingford care home in which a resident died. My thoughts are with the victim’s family. I have been in touch with my Deputy Mayor for Fire and the Commissioner this morning. My thanks to the firefighters who tackled the blaze.”

Pictures from the scene showed flames pouring out of the roof of the building.

Emergency services attend the scene of a fire at a care home in Chingford (Victoria Jones/PA)
Emergency services attend the scene of a fire at a care home in Chingford (Victoria Jones/PA)

It houses Connington Court and Connington House, which are both run by Sequence Care and provide services to support adults with autism and other complex needs or behaviours.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.