Firefighters are urging Londoners to take care when using heaters after a blanket placed over one caused a fire at a house on Francis Road in Harrow.
Part of the first floor of the semi-detached house and part of the roof was damaged by the fire. One man left the property before the Brigade arrived. He was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews.
The Brigade’s fire investigators believe the fire was caused by a blanket being placed on top of a fan heater.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If you use an electric heater this winter, never leave it unattended.
"It’s really important to ensure heaters are placed well away from clothes, duvets and other items that can catch fire if they get too close and you should never placed anything on top of them.“
The Brigade was called at 0957 and the fire was under control by 1114. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Harrow, Stanmore and Wembley fire stations attended the scene.