Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a shop on Corbets Tey Road in Upminster.
A single-storey storage shed attached to the rear of a shop was destroyed by fire. Firefighters evacuated residents in flats above the shop as a precaution. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade was called at 2128 and the fire was under control by 2221. Fire crews from Harold Hill, Dagenham, Hornchurch and Romford fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.