Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a car repair and paint workshop in New Road, Rainham.
The fire is believed to have started in a furnace at the rear of a spray paint booth. A member of the public saw smoke and called 999. A small section of the ground floor and roof was damaged by fire.
The Brigade was called at 2209 and the fire was under control at 2320. Fire crews from Wennington, Ilford, Barking, and Dagenham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.