Firefighters are reminding people about the importance of having working smoke alarms after they alerted a man to a fire in his property in Romford.
The occupant of the house in Larchwood Avenue woke up to hear smoke alarms sounding and discovered a fire in their loft. The man immediately left the property and called 999.
Watch manager Tony Critchell, who was at the scene, said: “When crews arrived, there was visible smoke and flames coming from the roof of the property. Firefighters worked hard to bring the fire under control quickly and contained it to the property of origin.
“Thankfully, because this resident had smoke alarms, he had a lucky escape as the outcome could have been very different had he not been woken up by the alarm sounding.
“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning of a fire and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted on every level of their home and in every room where there is a risk of fire, except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate."
Most of the roof of the property and part of the first floor were damaged by fire.
The Brigade was called at 0204 and the fire was under control at 0336. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Romford, Hainault, Harold Hill and Dagenham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.