Firefighters are urging people to make sure they have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes after a fire at a house on Lancaster Road in Willesden.
Half of the first floor and a large part of the roof of the two storey terraced house was destroyed in the blaze. There were no working smoke alarms fitted in the property.
Crew Manager Christopher Rose, who was at the scene, said: “The occupants of this property had a very lucky escape as it was purely by chance that someone was awake at the time the fire started. They heard an unusual noise and after investigating discovered the fire on the first floor.
“There were no working smoke alarms in the property. We urge people to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and to test them regularly. Smoke alarms will give the earliest possible warning if a fire breaks out in your home.”
One man was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
The Brigade was called at 2319 and the fire was under control by 0052. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Willesden, Park Royal, West Hampstead and Hammersmith fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental and due to an electrical fault with a fridge freezer.