Firefighters have issued a reminder of the importance of smoke alarms after a fire at a shop with flats above on Lea Bridge Road in Leyton.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled the fire which destroyed most of a three roomed flat on the third floor of the three storey building. Four people left the building before the Brigade arrived. One cat was rescued by fire crews wearing breathing apparatus.
Fire investigators believe the flat did not have working smoke alarms.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident highlights the importance of working smoke alarms and heat detection.
“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.”
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 due to the catastrophic failure of lithium ion batteries.