FIRE Investigation officers are looking into the cause of a blaze which gutted the inside of a Leytonstone restaurant and caused traffic chaos.

More than 30 firefighters and six fire engines tackled the blaze at Baburchi restaurant, in High Road, Leytonstone, shortly after 2pm yesterday (Thursday).

The high road was closed off for a half-mile stretch between Gainsborough Road and the Green Man roundabout and did not reopen until after 6pm.

Firefighters were called at 2.11pm and did not get the blaze under control until 4.43pm, with crews from Leyton and Leytonstone attending. No one was injured.

The fire badly damaged the restaurant and also caused minor damage to a flat next door and a nearby shop already undergoing refurbishment. A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Fire crews remained at the scene until around 7pm and the cause of the fire is under investigation."