Firefighters are reminding residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their homes after a house fire in Wentworth Road in Southall last night.
Half of the first floor and all of the roof of the property were damaged by fire.
Watch manager Keith Barnes, who was at the scene, said: “Crews were faced with a fully developed fire which had already broken through the roof when they arrived.
“Firefighters gained access to the property quickly and stopped the fire spreading into the roof spaces of neighbouring properties.
“It appears the property had no working smoke alarms fitted and the fire had been going for some time before the alarm was raised by a neighbour as there was nobody home at the time of the fire.
“Homes need multiple and linked smoke alarms or you won’t be properly covered. Ideal spots for smoke alarms include rooms where you leave electrical equipment running like satellite boxes, computers or heaters; any room where you smoke, and anywhere you charge your mobile or laptop.
“As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor - in the hallways and the rooms you use the most, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. They should be linked together and tested regularly.”
The Brigade was called at 2031 and the fire was under control at 2205. Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters and officers from Southall, Hayes and Feltham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.