Unattended cooking was the cause of a flat fire in Ealing yesterday evening.
Firefighters were called to a blaze in a five storey block of flats in Riverside Close, where they found a small part of a fourth floor flat damaged by the flames at around 7pm.
Six people were evacuated and a man was rescued and treated for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews but was not taken to hospital.
Watch Manager Charlie Hanks, who was at the scene, said: “There was a great deal of smoke in the flat when we arrived. It appears the occupier had started cooking his dinner but then fell asleep on the sofa.
“He woke up when the smoke alarm went off, which probably saved his life. He attempted to fight the fire himself before we arrived, which resulted in him inhaling a lot of smoke.
“He then left the property and entered the corridor, where he collapsed and was rescued by firefighters in breathing apparatus.”
Mr Hanks added: ”You should never try and fight a fire yourself. If you have a fire, get out, stay out, and call the Brigade. We have equipment and protective clothing that will keep us safe as we tackle fires.”
Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from Southall, Ealing and Wembley fire stations attended the scene.
