AROUND 35 firefighters tackled a blaze which completely destroyed a hairdressers and a flat above.

Concerned residents thought that there may have been a person trapped in the flat above the shop in Goodmayes Road, Ilford.

However, when firefighters managed to enter the property they did not find anyone inside.

Two fire crews were called to the blaze at 03.21am today (Sunday).

However, the fire was so severe the officer in command requested back up and four further crews attended the blaze.

A structural engineer had to be called to the scene before firefighters could enter the building because it was unsafe due to a roof which had collapsed and the walls were likely to crumble.

Seven residents from an adjacent building were evacuated by firefighters and nobody was hurt.

Firefighters took two hours to bring the blaze under control. It was finally extinguished at 11am and they left the scene at noon.

Two crews from Ilford, two from Dagenham and two from Romford attended the blaze.