RESIDENTS had a lucky escape after a discarded cigarette set a flat on fire.

Two fire engines and 10 firefighters rushed to the blaze at a first floor flat in Leytonstone High Road on Sunday evening (August 13).

Parts of the flat were damaged by the flames, but there were no injuries and everyone had escaped unharmed by the time it was under control at 7.40pm.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) investigators believe the fire was the result of a cigarette that had not been put out properly.

Once the flames were out, a LFB spokesman warned: “If you're a smoker it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it.

“If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home, but also cost you your life.”