Firefighters rescued a woman from a flat blaze on Ingrave Street in Battersea last night.
Fire crews used a turntable ladder to establish contact to her seventh floor flat. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus found her in the kitchen and brought her to safety. She was suffering from smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
Part of the flat was damaged by the fire. Around 50 people left the block before the Brigade arrived.
London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“The occupant noticed the fire and shouted to raise the alarm. The smoke alarm did not sound as there was no working battery inside.
“Homes need multiple and linked smoke alarms or you won’t be properly covered. Ideal spots for smoke alarms include rooms where you leave electrical equipment running like satellite boxes, computers or heaters; any room where you smoke, and anywhere you charge your mobile or laptop.
“As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor - in the hallways and the rooms you use the most, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. They should be linked together and tested regularly.”
The Brigade was called at 2027 and the fire was under control by 2144. Fire crews from Battersea, Clapham, Wandsworth and Chelsea fire stations were at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.