Huge fire at shop in East London fills the sky with smoke

Locals are being asked to keep their windows and doors closed after a shop caught fire in East Ham.

The fire in a shop with flats above on High Street North in east London was first reported at about 7pm.

Half of the shop, located in a mid-terrace, is alight, as is a small part of the first floor.

At its peak there were about 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines at the scene, the London Fire Brigade said.

Station Commander Darren McTernan said at the scene: ‘Crews are working hard to bring this fire under control. 

‘High Street North will remain closed while the incident is ongoing.

‘Please avoid the area and we advise people to keep windows and doors closed due to large amounts of smoke.’

Fire crews from East Ham, Plaistow, Stratford and other surrounding fire stations have been sent to the scene.

High Street North has been closed off by the police and fire brigade.

There is thick dark smoke pouring out of the building and rising into the sky above.

No casualties have been confirmed so far, and the fire brigade says the incident is likely to cause significant travel disruption well into the evening.

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