A FIRE broke out in a house converted into flats.

Six people escaped unhurt from the property in Hainault Road in Leytonstone shortly after 1pm on Sunday, March 12.

Two flats in the building were badly damaged and most of the roof was destroyed.

It took 35 firefighters over an hour to get the fire under control. There were no smoke alarms in the flats.

Leytonstone Fire Station Manager Chris Payton attended the scene. He issued a warning for homeowners about the importance of having working smoke alarms on every floor.

He said: “When firefighters arrived they were faced with intense fire that had spread from the rear bedroom.

“The incident had the potential to be more serious. There was no working smoke alarm inside the flat.

“Ideal spots for smoke alarms include rooms where you leave electrical equipment running like satellite boxes, computers or heaters, any room where you smoke, and anywhere you charge your mobile or laptop.

“As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor - in the hallways and the rooms you use the most, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. They should be linked together and tested regularly.”

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.