Firefighters used a ladder to rescue a woman from a house fire on Addison Way in Northwood.
The woman was alerted to the fire when smoke alarms sounded in her property. The woman attempted to leave the first floor of the property but smoke prevented her from being able to leave. She went into a room on the first floor and closed the door before calling 999. The Brigade’s 999 control officers gave the woman vital fire survival guidance, including to block the bottom of the door with bedding and towels.
Firefighters used a ladder to rescue the woman from a first floor window. She was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by London Ambulance crews.
Part of the ground and first floor of the property was damaged by fire.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Our control officers were able to reassure the woman and provide her with vital fire survival guidance until our crews arrived on the scene. This included telling her to open a window and to place towels and bedding at the bottom of the door to stop the smoke from getting in.
“Incidents like these that show how important it is to have working smoke alarms that you check regularly. Everyone should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and in every room where there is a risk of a fire starting. This will give you the earliest warning of a fire.”
The Brigade was called at 2023 and the fire was under control by 2132. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Ruislip, Harrow, Northolt and Stanmore fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be an electrical fault.