999 control officers gave vital fire survival advice to a woman and two children until firefighters arrived at a block of flats on Harrow Road in Wembley last night.
An occupant heard a smoke alarm sounding a raised the alarm. Control officers gave fire survival advice to residents on the upper floor who were unable to leave their flats due to the amount of smoke in the hallway.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led them to safety. A further seven people self evacuated the building before the Brigade arrived.
London Ambulance Service treated residents for smoke inhalation. A small part of the communal area was damaged by fire.
London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“By listening to the advice of our skilled 999 control officers the residents were able to stay away from the smoke and safely wait for firefighters to arrive.”
Around 35 firefighters and officers from Wembley, Northolt, Park Royal and Acton attended the incident. The Brigade was called at 0107 and the fire was under control by 0324. The cause of the fire is under investigation.