Firefighters say a woman was lucky to escape when a fire swept through her home.

London Fire Brigade was called to a semi-detached house in Woodville Road, New Barnet, at just past 6.30pm last night following reports of a fire.

A woman who lived at the house had made her escape before crews, including 21 firefighters and four engines, arrived at the scene.

The fire is believed to have started in the bedroom and destroyed half of the first floor and half of the roof before being brought under control at 8.30pm.

Part of the roof of the house next door was also damaged by the blaze.

Firefighters say the occupant had a very lucky escape because there were no smoke alarms fitted that could have warned her that a fire had begun in her home.

Watch Manager James Hilditch who was at the fire said: “The woman was extremely lucky to escape from the house because we think the fire began in her bedroom when she was asleep.

“She did not have working smoke alarms fitted that could have woken her up and alerted her to the danger she was in.

“She was very fortunate to somehow wake up and get out of the house before she was overcome by the fire.

“It is vitally important that you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it regularly, as it gives you early warning of a fire and vital time to escape.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is thought to have started due to the careless disposal of smoking materials in the bedroom.