A fire, which was first spotted by police officers attending a separate incident in the area, damaged flats above a shop in Ilford.

The fire, which damaged most of a first floor flat and part of a second floor flat in York Mews, was noticed by police officers at around 6.40pm on Sunday, April 18.

The officers saw smoke and alerted the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.

Officers at the scene helped to evacuate nearby residents and put road closures in place.

One man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and he has since been released under investigation.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters attended the scene and the fire was under control by 7.48pm.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the brigade and the police.