Firefighters are investigating after a blaze broke out in a flat above a disused pub.

The fire broke out in a five-room flat on the upper floor of the Durham Arms pub in Romford, early on Friday.

Three fire engines and 15 firefighters from Hornchurch and Dagenham fire stations were called to the building in Brentwood Road at 7.16am.

Two people in the flat had left the premises before the brigade arrived and no injuries were reported, a London Fire Brigade spokesperson said.  

He added that the fire was brought under control at 7.35am and the cause is under investigation.

A small part of the flat was damaged in the blaze.

The pub has been closed since 2019.

In February 2022, plans were submitted to convert the first floor of the disused pub into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) to allow the pub to house staff members.

The application also sought to reopen the pub, but no decision has yet been taken on it. The building remains on Havering’s local heritage list due to its Victorian style architecture and has been derelict for months. 

Councillor Judith Holt, who represents St Alban's Ward, shared pictures of broken windows of the pub on social media and said: "I have called on the council officers to contact the owner of the building as a matter of great importance."