A shopkeeper raised the alarm in Forest Gate after spotting smoke coming out of the flat above.
Five people left the Upton Lane property yesterday morning before the London Fire Brigade arrived.
The fire completely damaged one of the bedrooms of a first floor flat, while there was smoke damage throughout the three storey building.
It was later discovered that no smoke alarms had been fitted in the property.
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “Everyone should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and the safest option is to have those linked together.
“This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home.”
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