Staff have been praised for their quick thinking after a fire broke out at a care home.

Eight elderly residents had to be evacuated when a fire destroyed a first-floor bedroom at a care home in Grove Road, Walthamstow, at around 5.15am on March 17.

Staff members were alerted to the blaze when the alarm sounded and acted quickly to get residents out before fire crews arrived.

There were no reports of any injuries.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The quick thinking by care home staff helped residents to leave the building and directed crews to the site of the fire, which meant crews were able to stop the fire from spreading any further and residents left as early as possible."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.