Barking Road in East Ham has re-opened following a fire which damaged an Indian restaurant in the early hours of this morning.
Four fire engines and 20 firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out in a first floor kitchen at 12.30am.
The westbound Barking Road was closed off between the junctions with Bedford Road and Napier Road while the scene was made safe.
The fire was under control by 4am,
Crews were led to believe the premises was occupied at the time, but it was empty when they arrived.
East Ham station Green Watch crew manager Martin Selwood said the building contained gas canisters and firefighters had to roll up metal shutters to get in.
He said: “The neighbours were very helpful - one family got out of bed, another lady let us run our hosereels through her house.
“Neighbours saw smoke coming out of the smoke stacks (chimneys) and called us.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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