Firefighters are urging people to make sure they have working smoke alarms following a fire at a semi-detached house of two floors on Stormount Drive in Hayes.
Hayes Watch Manager Paul Dicker, who was at the scene, said: “There were no smoke alarms in the house and the occupants had a lucky escape as they woke up to discover a fire in the bedroom otherwise this could have had a very different outcome. The residents did the right thing in getting out quickly after discovering the fire.
“Homes need multiple 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 and the bathroom. They should be tested regularly."
Half of the first floor and the roof were damaged by fire. A man and a woman left the property before the arrival of the Brigade and were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews.
The Brigade was called at 2330 and the fire was under control at 0102. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Hayes, Heathrow, and Hillingdon fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.