Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters have been attending a fire at a cafe with homes above on East Street in Barking.
Part of the basement and a small part of the ground floor were damaged by the fire. Around 20 people were evacuated from the building and there are no reports of any injuries.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by an electrical fault.
The Brigade was called at 1014 and the fire was brought under control by 1247. Crews from Barking, Plaistow, Ilford and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.