Terrified Pimlico residents are demanding more fire alarms are installed on the Churchill Gardens Estate after a blaze swept through a basement.

Fire broke out in basement of Gilbert House on the Churchill Gardens Estate, in Churchill Gardens Road, at around 4.40pm on Saturday.

Residents say they did not hear alarms coming from the basement, which Westminster Council's housing arm CityWest Homes, uses as a storage area.

Nobody was injured during the blaze, but Pat Moran, who lives in Gilbert House with her 80-year-old mother Kathleen, fears next time they may not be as lucky.

She said: "If this had happened late at night, we could have burned in our beds. My mother said the smoke was so thick it nearly choked her. It's disgusting how the council puts people's lives at risk."

Her neighbour, Jennie Peake, who has lived on the ground floor of Gilbert House for 52 years, added: "The smoke was billowing out, and it started pouring up the stairs. I came out when I heard the noise of fire engines outside, but we never heard an alarm.

"It's terrifying to think what could have happened if it had happened any later and we had all been asleep."

CityWest Homes has sent letters to residents, stating electricity could be switched off temporarily, while damaged cables are repaired.

Ms Moran's mother suffers from asthma and emphysema and requires constant access to a ventilator, connected to an electricity supply.

The housing company said: "We will inform residents in advance. If any residents have particular needs such as ventilators, we would help move them to an area - such as the community hall - and serve refreshments until the work is completed."

A CityWest Homes spokeswoman confirmed there were no fire alarms in the basement.

She said: "A fire risk assessment was carried out on this area in February, 2008, and it was decided that no fire or smoke detection systems were needed.

"We continue to work with the Fire Brigade to investigate the incident and will carry out another fire risk assessment shortly.

"Following the fire in the basement room at Gilbert House, we can confirm that all relevant safety checks have been carried out and that the building is safe and secure. The basement room at Gilbert House has always been used as a storage area, as it is not suitable for residential use."