Firefighters and police officers are investigating after a fire destroyed part of a ground floor office block and the residential flats above early this morning (Monday, November 19).

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman confirmed firefighters were called at 2.14am to reports of a shop with flats above it on fire in Ley Street, Ilford, near the junction with Brisbane Road.

Around 5pc of a ground floor office space was damaged by the blaze, which was brought under control by 2.53am by two fire engines sent from Ilford and Dagenham stations.

The Metropolitan Police were than called to the scene at 2.57am by firefighters.

A Met spokeswoman said: “Officers from Redbridge Police within the East Area Command Unit are working with London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire.

“No persons were injured as a result of the fire.”

There have been no arrests. Enquiries continue.