Firefighters are reminding residents about the importance of smoke alarms after a family had a lucky escape from a house fire in Lancelot Road, Wembley.
Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to the fire in a loft conversion on the third floor of the mid-terraced house.
Five adults and a baby had left the property before the arrival of the Brigade and fortunately, no one was injured.
No smoke alarms were fitted in the property and the occupants were alerted to the fire when they smelt burning and discovered the loft conversion, which was temporarily being used as a bedroom, smoke-logged.
Crew Manager at Wembley fire station Kate Legge, who was at the scene, said: “When we arrived the loft conversion was completely smoke-filled down to the floor. Crews found a small fire and managed to stop it spreading.
“The family did the right thing as they got out as soon as they discovered the smoke and called us.
“But there were no smoke alarms in the property and this just highlights the importance of having them in your home.
“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. Ideally they should be linked together and tested regularly.
“This fire was only discovered because they smelt burning.
“If it had happened overnight, it could have had a very different outcome. The roof could have caught alight and that would have been catastrophic for the family. They were lucky.”
The Brigade was called at 1142 and the fire was under control at 1226. Fire crews from Wembley, Park Royal and Northolt fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.