A restaurant in Ilford has reopened after its “extra hot burgers” were blamed for causing a fire.

Two fire engines were called to Loaded Gourmet Burgers and Fries, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, yesterday after the blaze broke out.

On Twitter, the chain joked the fire had been caused by one of its Machete Burns hot burgers.

Supervisor Haseeb Yazdan said: “There was a small mishap, but the fire was contained in a single room.

“It was actually started by a small electrical fault, but we thought blaming it on the burger would be a good way to tell our customers the shop was temporary closed.

“The hottest burger we have is pretty hot – almost hot enough to cause a fire.”

London Fire Brigade said: “We were called at 9.12pm to attend to a fire on a ground floor of a shop.

“Nine people had left the building before we arrived, and one person was treated for smoke inhalation.”