Firefighters are reminding people to cook safely and check their smoke alarms after crews rescued a woman from a flat blaze on Odessa Street in Bermondsey this morning.
The fire damaged part of a flat on the top floor of the seven storey block at New Caledonian Wharf and crews wearing breathing apparatus led the woman to safety down an internal staircase.
It is believed that the fire was started by cooking which had been left unattended.
Station Manager Pat Utting who was at the scene said: “We believe the fire began after a rice pot was left on a stove. Over 60% of London’s house fires start in the kitchen and we would urge people to never leave their cooking unattended as the consequences can be lethal.
“Unfortunately although the flat had a smoke alarm there was no battery in it. It’s essential that your home is fitted with a working smoke alarm and that you check it regularly. You should also never remove the battery. Smoke alarms can buy you vital seconds to escape in the event of a fire. In this case the woman we rescued was only alerted after the rice pot on the cooker went ‘pop’.”
The Brigade was called at 1121 and the fire was under control by 12012. Six fire engines and around 35 firefighters and officers from Deptford, Peckham, New Cross, Old Kent Road and Greenwich fire stations attended the incident. The woman was treated for smoke inhalation.