Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a launderette with flats above on York Way in Islington.
Around half of the ground floor launderette was damaged by fire. The alarm was raised when a passer-by heard a fire alarm sounding and saw smoke coming from under the metal shutters, so they immediately called 999.
Ten people were evacuated from the flats above the shop as a precaution. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade was called at 0114 and the fire was under control at 0223. Fire crews from Euston, Islington and Kentish Town fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.