A towel left against a switched on lightbulb is believed to have caused a fire at a house on Woodland Way in Woodford Green.
Most of the roof was damaged by the blaze. Three people and two dogs left the property before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
A Brigade spokesperson said: “All lightbulbs generate heat at various temperatures so it is very important to keep combustible items as far away from light sources as possible to prevent any fires from starting.”
The Brigade was called at 1641 and the fire was under control by 1744. Fire crews from Woodford, Chingford, Walthamstow fire stations and a crew from Essex Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident.