Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled an outbuilding fire on Tomswood Hill in Ilford.
Part of a single-storey outbuilding in the garden of a terraced house was damaged by fire. One woman was treated on scene for slight smoke inhalation.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued 11 chicks, one chicken and four turtles.
Station Officer Jim Jobson said: “The fire started at the rear of a wooden outbuilding and spread upwards into the roof space through the eaves. Most of the fire damage was external, with the inside suffering from smoke damage.
“There were a number of animals in the outbuilding, including baby chicks inside an incubator, snapping turtles and other birds, and crews safely removed them.
“Crews were working in hot, challenging conditions. Quick actions from initial crews prevented the fire spreading to adjacent buildings and from harming any of the animals.”
The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took more than 15 calls to the blaze.
The Brigade was called at 1131 and the fire was under control by 1210. Fire crews from Woodford, Hainault and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.