A kebab shop owner has said his livelihood has been destroyed after a fire ripped through his business in the early hours of this morning. 

Around 20 firefighters were called to Woodford BBQ in High Road, Woodford Green, as just after 3am. 

Neighbours living below in the basement and on the first floor evacuated the building before emergency services arrived. 

The blaze ripped through the ground floor, destroying everything in its path, from furniture and cooking equipment, and caused smoke damage to the flats above. 

Owner Erdogan Gulem said: "I believe it was started by an electrical fault but we are still waiting to hear.  

"I closed up last night as normal at around midnight and then got a call this morning to say there had been a fire. 

"This is terrible for me. It has destroyed my business". 

Mr Gulem said it could take weeks before the business re-opens. 

Firefighters gained entry by smashing through the glass door. 

Couple Rasa Raguliene and Jean Asanovas live in a studio apartment below the shop. 

Mr Asanovas, 46, said: "We were both sleeping and then I felt my partner shaking me telling me to wake up. 

"At first we heard one loud bang and then five more. 

"There was lots of smoke coming through the glass windows and then we saw flames."  

They have placed several buckets underneath spotlights where water is coming through the ceiling. 

The fire was under control by 4.55am and neighbours were allowed back into their homes at 6am.