Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire at a shop with flats above on Lea Bridge Road in Leyton.
Half of a three roomed flat on the third floor of the three storey building was damaged by fire. Four people left the building before the Brigade arrived. One cat was rescued by fire crews wearing breathing apparatus.
The Brigade's 999 Control officers received the first of 15 calls at 1324 and the fire was under control by 1414. They mobilised crews from Leytonstone, Homerton, Stratford, Stoke Newington and Woodford fire stations.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.