Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to a house fire on Dagenham Road in Rush Green.
The staircase from ground to first floor was destroyed by fire. Part of the ground floor and part of the loft conversion were also damaged by fire.
The Brigade was called at 1359 and the fire was under control at 1624. Fire crews from Hornchurch, Romford, Harold Hill and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be caused by a lightning strike.