A FIRE at the tower block where a grandmother was crushed to death in a faulty lift forced the evacuation of dozens of terrified residents at the weekend.

Families living in Lambourne Court on the Orchard Estate in Woodford Green fled as smoke engulfed communal areas after the blaze broke out at around 10.30pm on Sunday.

The fire is believed to have started in a communal rubbish shoot, where firefighters were able to contain the blaze after racing to the scene.

There have been no reports of any injuries.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters were called to a fire in an 11 storey block of flats on Navestock Crescent in Woodford Green on Sunday night.

"The fire damaged parts of the rubbish chute in the block.

"The Brigade was called at 10.33pm and the fire was under control by 11.17pm.

"Firefighters from Hainault, Leytonstone and Woodford fire stations were in attendance.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation."

It comes after the tragic death of 50-year-old Christine Allen, who died in August after getting trapped in one of the block's lifts.

An investigation into the incident by the police and the Health and Safety Executive is currently on-going.

More to follow.