Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a restaurant with flats above on Green Lane, Dagenham.
The fire was discovered by an employee who called 999. A small part of the restaurant on the ground floor was damaged fire. The restaurant's external ventilation system going from ground to roof level was destroyed by fire. Eleven residents from neighbouring flats were evacuated by the Brigade as a precaution.
The Brigade was called at 1526 and the fire was under control at 1618. Fire crews from Barking, Dagenham, and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a pan left unattended on the hob.