Five people had a lucky escape after a flat fire damaged a home in Bowes Park.

More than 21 fire fighters tackled the blaze in Lascotts Road, in Bowes Park, this morning.

The smoke alarm in the first floor flat had been removed by the people living there and about a quarter of the flat was badly damaged.

Watch Manager Andy King from the fire investigation team, who was at the scene, said: “Don’t leave it to luck, it is important to ensure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor in your home and to test it regularly.

“Most importantly you should never remove it or take the batteries out to use for something else. This fire happened early in the morning and it would have been easy to sleep through it. It was only thanks to someone waking up that the rest of the occupants were alerted.

“We believe the fire was caused by an electric heater being placed too close to a bed - a situation made even worse by the fact that there was more flammable material stored underneath it.

“Shockingly, over two thirds of fatal fires involving heaters are caused by clothing or furniture being too close. People need to make sure their portable heaters are standing upright and kept well away from clothes, curtains or furniture.”