A family had a lucky escape after a fire broke out at their flat in Park Lodge Avenue in West Drayton in the early hours of this morning
The flat had no working smoke alarms and the fire was discovered when one of the occupants of the affected flat woke up to a crackling noise. Two adults and two children left the flat before the arrival of the Brigade.
A further 50 people left the block of flats before the arrival of the Brigade. Thankfully, there were no injuries.
Station manager Frank McCarthy, who was at the scene, said: “There were no working smoke alarms in the property and the occupants of the flat were very lucky that they were alerted to the fire, as this incident could have had a very different outcome.
“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."
Part of the flat on the second floor of the building was damaged by fire.
The Brigade was called at 0415 and the fire was under control at 0537. Six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers from Heathrow, Hayes, Hillingdon and Feltham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.