Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with flats above on Victoria Road in Romford.
Half of one five-roomed flat on the first floor of the four-storey building was destroyed by fire, and one five-roomed flat on the second floor was partially damaged by fire. Two adult men suffering smoke inhalation left the property before the arrival of the Brigade and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
The Brigade was called at 0343 and the fire was under control by 0502. Crews from Romford, Hornchurch and Dagenham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.