Flats evacuated as fire breaks out at shop in east London

A fire broke out at a shop with flats above it in east London on Monday morning. The London Fire Brigade dispatched 40 firefighters and six engines to the property on Hackney Road, after receiving more than 40 reports of the fire just before 8am. Footage on social media showed thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as the roof of the building could be seen ablaze. Residents from the building were evacuated from their apartments shortly after the fire first broke out. A 32-metre turntable ladder was used at the scene as a water tower as crews from Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Soho, Dowgate and surrounding fire stations worked to bring the fire under control. It is understood that the fire was brought under control by 8:47am though a cordon still remains in place. Officials on the scene said decking at the rear of the apartment building had caught alight, the Independent has reported. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. The road remains closed between the junction of Shoreditch High Street and Cremer Street, with the London Fire Brigade urging people to avoid the area this morning. In a social media post, London Fire Brigade said: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters are tackling a fire at a shop with flats above on Hackney Road in Hackney. “Please avoid the area - there are road closures in place on Hackney Road in both directions.“Crews will remain on scene this morning damping down hot spots - please continue to avoid the area where possible due to road closures.”