THIRTY people were evacuated from their homes in the early hours of this morning after a fire just yards from a petrol station.

The fire service asked people to leave their homes as a precaution, as the blaze swept through the car wash area of the premises in Snakes Lane East.

Four engines and around 20 firefighters attended the scene, after they were called at 2.47am. The fire was under control at 3.56am.

Crews from Leytonstone, Chingford, Leyton and Tottenham stations tackled the fire, which is thought to have damaged half the car wash.

The cause is currently being investigated.

More to follow.