A fire which engulfed an Ilford charity shop destroyed about £18,000 of stock, bosses have revealed.
The flames quickly spread inside the PDSA shop in Cranbrook Road on Friday, completely gutting it.
The PDSA shop sells clothes, books and bric-a-brac to help the charity raise money for free veterinary services.
Store manager Teresa McGuigan said: “Naturally we are all devastated by the fire.
“We hope local supporters will help us to replace the stock destroyed in the fire when the shop re-opens, by donating more of their unwanted good-quality items.”
Eyewitness Marius Dirmantas said the fire started at about 1.30pm on a clothes rack where women’s dresses were hanging.
Customers were evacuated and a staff member locked the door to stop people from getting inside as the fire took hold.
Andrew Holl, PDSA director of business services, said: “Our staff followed correct health and safety procedures after discovering the outbreak, ensuring the building was quickly evacuated.
“Thankfully, none of the staff, volunteers or customers in the store at the time were injured, though the premises have suffered extensive damage.”
More than 30 firefighters were called to the fire, which took about an hour to put out.
Smoke spread to flats above the shop, where two people were escorted out by firefighters.
The shop’s staff and volunteers will continue to work for PDSA at nearby shops in Leyton, Barking and Barkingside.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
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