Residents had a lucky escape after a smoke alarm alerted them to a fire at a terraced house converted into flats on Studley Road in Forest Gate this morning.
A smoke alarm alerted the neighbour from the first floor flat to the fire in the ground floor flat who then called the Brigade.
The fire damaged a small part of the kitchen in a ground floor flat. Two men left the property before the Brigade arrived and were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation.
It’s believed the cause of the fire was due to a cooking pan left unattended.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson: “This was a small fire in the kitchen of a ground floor flat. Fortunately a smoke alarm alerted the occupant of the neighbouring first floor flat to the fire.
“Once again smoke alarms alerted a resident who then dialled 999. This incident shows how important it is to have working smoke alarms. If the residents had remained asleep this could have been a very different story. Everyone should have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of their home. This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home.
“This incident also shows how important it is to never leave cooking unattended – if you have to leave the room or the property, turn the heat off before you do.”
The Brigade was called at 0312 and the fire was under control by 0451. Three fire engines and 15 firefighters and officers from Stratford, Leytonstone and Plaistow fire stations attended the incident.
More tips on preventing cooking fires
Avoid leaving cooking unattended
Don't cook if you are tired, have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that might make you drowsy
Take care not to lean over hot hobs and keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob
Be careful to keep the oven, hob, cooker hood and grill clean to avoid a build up of fat and grease, which could ignite and cause a fire
Use spark devices to light gas cookers - they are much safer than matches or lighters as they don't have a naked flame
Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you've finished cooking
Check toasters are clean and placed away from anything that can catch fire
Never put anything metal in the microwave
Never use a barbecue indoors or on a balcony - burning or smoldering fuel can cause carbon monoxide poisoning
Supervise children and pets in the kitchen at all times and keep matches and saucepan handles out of reach