Firefighters who saved a pensioner from a blaze have warned those living in flats to have a fire safety plan.

A woman and child managed to escape from the fifth floor flat on the corner of Buckingham Palace Road and Pimlico Road last night (December 1) before fire crews arrived but they then had to rescue an elderly woman from the next door home.

She had to be treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service paramedics.

Ross Culbertson, 24, who lives opposite the block of flats, said: “I saw six or seven fire trucks outside at about 11pm but didn’t hear any sirens. I didn’t see any flames but saw the firefighters smash the window through. They were there until about 2am. You can now see the smoke damage outside the window and it looks pretty bad.”

A total of 21 firefighters and officers from Chelsea , Lambeth and Soho fire stations were at the scene after being called at 10.39pm and managed to have the blaze under control by 11.55pm.

Several fire engines were seen outside the building last night. Pic: Miles Chapman

The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen and smoke caused more damage to the rest of the flat. Firefighters believe it started after the cooker accidentally ignited.

London Fire Brigade has used the incident to highlight their newly launched safety campaign to improve awareness of fire safety for people living in high-rise buildings.

Station manager, Gareth Cook, said: “Incidents like this show how important it is to know what to do in the event of a fire if you live in a purpose built flat or a maisonette. Living in a flat is not more dangerous than living in a house, but your fire plan should be different. Flats are built to give you some protection from fire – a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 60.

“If there is a fire elsewhere in the building but not inside your home you’re usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you. If you leave your flat you could be rushing into choking smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building.”

To find out more about fire safety in flats visit knowtheplan.co.uk