Three people escaped a fire which severely damaged a flat above a shop in Plaistow.

The fire destroyed the stairway between the first and second floor of the building on Plashet Road and caused

severe damage to the second floor flat and the roof.

Three people escaped from the fire before the Brigade arrived last Friday.

Four fire engines from Plaistow and Stratford fire stations, and 21 firefighters and officers, were at the scene.

The London Fire Brigade was called at 11.42pm and the fire was under control just before 1am. The cause of the fire is under investigation.