Firefighters ? battling a fire at a department store in Chingford, London, Britain, on August 23, 2017 ? are seen in this still image obtained from social media. Jonathan Boyce via REUTERS

 

LONDON: The London Fire Brigade said on Wednesday 15 fire engines and 97 firefighters and officers were tackling a huge blaze in a department store in the east of the city.

Half of the ground floor of the Poundland discount store in Chingford was alight, the London Fire Brigade said in a statement.

"Part of the first floor and roof is also on fire."

No casualties were initially reported. The cause of the fire was not known, the brigade said.

The website of the London Evening Standard quoted police as saying however that an investigation had been launched.

"At this early stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious. Three suspects were seen to leave the area soon after the fire started," a police spokesman said.

Police said nearby homes had been evacuated.