Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with flats above on Hackney Road in Hackney.
A rooftop terrace was destroyed by fire, as well as half of the roof of the building. There were no reports of any injuries.
One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as a water tower to tackle flames from height.
Road closures remain in place on Hackney Road in both directions between the junction of Shoreditch High Street and Cremer Street. People are encouraged to continue to avoid the area where possible this morning.
The Brigade's Control Officers took the first of 40 calls to the fire at 0753 and sent crews from Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Soho, Dowgate and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 0847.
The fire is believed to have been accidental, but due to the roof structure being unstable the exact cause has been recorded as undetermined.