Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire on Wanstead Park Road in Cranbrook.
The roof of a terraced house was destroyed by the fire and part of the first floor was damaged. A small part of an adjoining property's roof was also damaged. Two people left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
Station Commander Alan Bendell, who was at the scene, said: "Crews were faced with a well developed fire on arrival.
"They worked hard to stop it spreading to neighbouring properties.
"Our 64m ladder was at the scene to assist firefighting efforts.
"Part of Wanstead Park Road was closed - from just past the junction with Carlisle Gardens towards Wanstead Lane - so we advised motorists to avoid the area where possible."
The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took eight calls to the blaze.
The Brigade was called at 1208 and the fire was under control by 1412. Fire crews from Ilford, Leytonstone and Woodford fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.