Firefighters tackled a blaze in two shops in Ilford this morning (Monday).

The fire started in the basement of Chesters chicken shop and spread to an adjacent bakery, Durga Sweets, in Ilford Lane.

Crews were called at 12.50am and 10 people were evacuated from flats above the shops before crews arrived. There were no injuries reported.

Fifty-eight firefighters were at the shops until 4.30am, when the fire was extinguished.

Islington station manager, Laurie Kenny, who was at the scene, said: “It was very smoky when we arrived and the shop was locked up, so we had to cut open the roller shutters in order to get inside to fight the fire.

“Crews worked very hard in the challenging conditions and did well to get the fire under control quickly.

“The bakery had prepared a series of cakes for a religious festival later this week, so firefighters worked to salvage the cakes and protect them from any damage.”

Eight fire engines from Walthamstow, Dagenham, Ilford, Barking, East Ham, and Homerton fire stations went to the scene with 58 firefighters and officers.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the London Fire Brigade’s fire investigation unit.

The road is currently closed between the Rutland Road junction and the Grange Road junction. Diversions are in place via the A124, South Park Drive and Green Lane for bus routes EL1, EL2 and 169.