Two families had a lucky escape after a fire broke out at one home and spread to the neighbouring property on Charlbury Crescent in Romford last night.
Neither property had working smoke alarms. Six adults and two children left the properties before the Brigade arrived. Thankfully no injuries are reported.
It is believed the fire started in the roof space of one of the houses and then spread to the roof next door. Both roofs were gutted by the blaze and the ground and first floors of the properties were also damaged.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If one of the occupants of the house hadn’t discovered the fire when they did, this fire 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."
Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters and officers from Harold Hill, Romford and Dagenham fire stations attended the fire as well as a fire crew from Essex fire brigade. The Brigade was called at 2338 and the incident was under control by 0123.
The cause of the fire is accidental and believed to be due to an electrical fault.