The fire-damaged house in Campden Crescent, Dagenham

A woman and four children escaped a devastating blaze in their home thanks to a fire alarm which woke them in the early hours of Monday (today).

The fire brigade was called to Campden Crescent, Dagenham, at 4.54am where a two-storey semi-detached family home was on fire.

Paul McClenaghan, Dagenham Fire Station manager, said: “One female and four children escaped before we arrived because of the fire alarm going off.

“There was 100 per cent damage to the roof, and 10 per cent damage to the first floor. We could see the flames coming through the roof. The house won’t be inhabitable until it gets a new roof.”

He said that no-one had been injured or treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire was under control by 7.10am. Four fire engines – two from Dagenham and two from Barking - and around 20 firefighters were at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.