Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with dwellings above on High Street North in East Ham.
The first floor was destroyed and most of the ground floor was damaged by the fire. Eleven people were evacuated by firefighters and police officers. There have been no reports of any injuries.
One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as an observation tower to help fight the fire from above.
Control Officers took the first of 12 calls at 1902 and mobilised crews from East Ham, Plaistow, Stratford and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 2357.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.