Firefighters have issued a warning about the vital importance of having a working smoke alarm after a house fire on St John’s Road, Walthamstow.

Part of a terraced house was damaged by the fire and half of the floor in a first floor bedroom collapsed into the bathroom below. Two adults and four children left the property before the Brigade arrived after an occupant smelt burning and discovered the fire. Thankfully, no one was injured. 

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “There were no working smoke alarms in the property. Everyone should have smoke alarms throughout their home and heat alarms in the kitchen and bathroom.

“They should be tested regularly and will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home.”

The Brigade was called at 2140 and the fire was under control by 2321. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Walthamstow, Woodford, Chingford, Leyton, Leytonstone and Tottenham fire station attended the scene.

The cause of the fire is not known.