Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters were called to a fire at a flat above a shop on High Street North in Manor Park.
Half of a four-roomed flat on the first floor of the building was damaged by fire. A woman left the property before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident is a reminder of how important it is to have working smoke alarms in your home. There were smoke alarms fitted in the property, but they had no working battery. Instead, the fire was discovered when members of the public saw smoke coming from the windows of the flat and called 999.
“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts. We encourage everyone to have smoke alarms fitted in every room where a fire could start, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. It’s important to test them regularly.”
The Brigade was called at 1254 and the fire was under control by 1358. Fire crews from East Ham, Stratford and Plaistow fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.