Tuesday morning residents of Ilford saw thick smoke coming out of the town centre, as firefighters tried to tackle the blaze. Ilford which has a large Asian population living, had many twitting about the fire, as they made their way to work.
The fire is believed to have started at a small law firm that offers services in employment law, immigration law, EU law and family divorce and spread to a range of shops on Ley Street, just a few hundred metres away from the Exchange shopping centre.
London Fire Brigade confirmed a crew was sent to the blaze at 7.39am and ten fire engines and 72 firefighters were still trying to extinguish the flames three hours later.
A hazard zone was set up after potentially explosive gas cylinders were found at the back of one of the properties.
The Evening Standard reported, a number of shop workers and 18 residents had to be evacuated although there are no reports of any injuries.
The entire ground floor of the property was alight and four shops were believed to have been damaged in the fire, which was eventually brought under control at around 10.40am.
One commuter posted on Twitter: “Fire in Ilford... saw it on way into work. Black smoke filling the air. Won't be long till trains are stopped.”
Another, known as Ash, added that there was an “awful fire in Ilford”.
