Fifteen people escaped with their lives after fire engulfed a shop in Ilford Lane.

The blaze broke out in B.B. Fatima Cash & Carry at 4.20am on Saturday.

All 15 people in the flats above the shop were able to escape before fire crews arrived on the scene.

The fire took an hour to bring under control and around 20 firefighters were in attendance.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said around half of the ground floor of the shop was damaged by fire, adding the people living in the flats above had a “lucky escape”.

The cause of the blaze is being investigated.

• Did you witness the fire? Do you have pictures from the scene? Call 020 8477 3821 or email joshua.fowler@archant.co.uk.