A fire in a flat above a shop in Leyton left part of the building damaged by smoke and fire.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters attended the blaze in High Road.
Six people left the property before the Brigade arrived and a further ten people were evacuated from a nearby café. The alarm was raised after a neighbouring shop owner noticed smoke exiting from the property. A smoke alarm inside the flat also sounded.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“Luckily this property had working smoke alarms fitted, and due to this and the actions of an eagle-eyed neighbour, residents were able to safely leave before fire crews arrived. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning of a fire and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted on every level of their home and in every room where there is a risk of fire, except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.