Around 125 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a Whitechapel tower block, which houses flats and offices.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said twenty fire engines were called to Whitechapel High Street at 3.53pm this afternoon (March 7).

Crews are tackling a fire on the 17th floor of a 21-storey building.

East London Advertiser: London Fire Brigade said they were called to Whitechapel High Street shortly before 4pmLondon Fire Brigade said they were called to Whitechapel High Street shortly before 4pm (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

East London Advertiser: Emergency Services attending the fireEmergency Services attending the fire (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

East London Advertiser: A view of the smoke coming from the block of flats in WhitechapelA view of the smoke coming from the block of flats in Whitechapel (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

A 64m ladder has been mobilised to the incident, a LFB spokesperson said.

The Brigade's 999 Control Officers have taken more than 50 calls about the blaze.

Fire crews from Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Dowgate, Bethnal Green, Dockhead, Old Kent Road, Islington and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

LFB said the cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

East London Advertiser: Two people look at the smoke on Whitechapel High StreetTwo people look at the smoke on Whitechapel High Street (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

East London Advertiser: Fire crews from Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Dowgate, Bethnal Green, Dockhead, Old Kent Road, Islington and surrounding fire stations were called to the sceneFire crews from Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Dowgate, Bethnal Green, Dockhead, Old Kent Road, Islington and surrounding fire stations were called to the scene (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)