Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters were called to a fire at a house on Humberstone Road in Plaistow.
Part of the ground floor of the terraced house was damaged by the fire. One man was led to safety from the ground floor by crews wearing breathing apparatus. Another man and woman were led to safety from a first floor flat roof by neighbours using a builder’s ladder. The man and woman were treated on scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews.
Watch Manager David Southam, who was at the scene, said: “I’d like to thank the neighbours for their quick thinking in assisting two residents to safety from the house.”
The Brigade was called at 0456 and the fire was under control by 0536. Fire crews from Plaistow, East Ham and Stratford fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be unattended cooking left on the hob.
How to prevent 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 smouldering 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
If a pan catches fire
- Don't tackle the fire yourself and don't attempt to move the pan
- Never throw water over a fire as it could create a fireball
- Turn off the heat, if it is safe to do so
- Leave the room, close the door, shout a warning to others and call 999
