Firefighters have issued a cooking safety reminder after a fire at a flat above a shop on Telegraph Mews in Ilford.
Half of the kitchen in the first floor flat was damaged by the fire. A teenager was led to safety via an internal staircase by crews wearing breathing apparatus. He was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the fire was accidental and was caused by items too close to an electric hob catching fire after it was left unattended.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "It's vital to never leave cooking unattended. If you do have to leave the room, you should always turn the heat off.
"There was also no smoke detection in the property. A passerby was alerted to the fire when they saw smoke issuing from the kitchen window and called 999.
"This incident shows just how important it is to have smoke alarms fitted.
“Smoke and heat alarms give the earliest possible warning and can give you precious time to get out. It’s important to have one fitted in any room of your home where a fire may start, except the kitchen and bathroom where you should fit a heat alarm.
“Smoke alarms save lives.”
The Brigade was called at 1705 and the fire was under control by 1738. Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Ilford Fire Station attended the scene.