Firefighters have issued a warning after a woman who escaped a burning flat returned to tackle it, suffering burns and smoke inhalation.

Two women and two children escaped the fire which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday (August 14) morning at a maisonette in Navestock Crescent, Woodford Green.

The London Fires Brigade was called at around 3.40am and sent 25 firefighters and four engines from Woodford, Chingford and Walthamstow stations to the scene. The fire was under control at around 4.45am.

Most of maisonette on the second and third floor was damaged by fire.

Woodford Watch Manager Graeme O'Hara, who attended the fire, is warning people caught up in a fire to get out quickly and stay out.

He said: "The good news is that the property was fitted with smoke alarms that alerted the two women and two children, who promptly left the property and called 999.

"One of the women decided to go back into the flat to tackle the fire, was quickly overwhelmed, but thankfully firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued her.

“She was then treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

"Our message is simple: get out and stay out, call 999."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.