Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and crews from the Rapid Response Team dealt with a fire in a shop on Clark Street, Whitechapel in the early hours of this morning.
The fire damaged part of the basement of the three storey shop with flats above. Firefighters discovered a cooling unit leaking liquid, and approximately eight people were evacuated from the flats above as precaution, but were soon allowed back inside.
Watch Manager Steven Riley said: “Once the fire was out our Rapid Response Team conducted a sweep of the property to make sure it was safe for residents to go back inside.”
Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers attended the scene. The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.
The Brigade was called at 0131 and the fire was under control by 0401. Fire crews from Shadwell. Whitechapel, Bethnal Green and Shoreditch fire stations attended the scene.