Nearly 100 firefighters were called to a fire-storey block of shops and flats.

Firefighters rushed to Philpot Street, Whitechapel, after reports of a fire spreading in the building yesterday (September 9) at 5.25pm.

Fifteen fire engines were at the scene and crews spent nine hours tackling the blaze and controlling the incident.

People in the immediate area were advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke rising.

One of the London Fire Brigade's 32m ladders was deployed as a water tower to fight the fire from above.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.