The roof of a flat was completely destroyed in Chadwell Heath after a fire broke out in a loft.
Six pumps and more than 30 fire fighters were called to the blaze in High Road (near the junction of Clarissa Road) at 6.42pm last night.
The fire, which was under control in around 20 minutes, destroyed both the loft and the roof of the four-storey building.
Those who were inside the flats and shops underneath escaped safely before the brigade left.
An ambulance attended but no-one needed treatment.
Robert Staines, of Hall Road, said: “When I went to see what had happened, the fire had already been contained but there was a lot of smoke. It looked like the fire had been taken care of very quickly.
“I don’t think the owners were there as the police made an announcement for them, but no one came forward.”
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
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