A pet cat saved its owner from a Limehouse kitchen fire after alerting her to the flames.
Firefighters have warned that the Clemence Street fire could have had “tragic consequences” as there was no smoke alarm in the property.
Watch Manager Neil Dickinson, who was at the scene of the fire on Thursday, said: “There was no smoke alarm in the house and the owner only woke up because her cat was meowing in her face.
“Meowing cats are no replacement for working smoke alarms and had she not woken up, this incident could have had tragic consequences.”
The woman, who received treatment for smoke inhalation from paramedics, left the house before firefighters arrived.
Her two dogs and three cats also got out safely but the fire damaged a small amount of the basement.
The brigade was called at 5.47am and the fire was under control by 6.12am.
Fire crews from Poplar and Millwall fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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