A HEROIC rescue is believed to have taken place this morning when an elderly woman escaped a fire at a block of flats.

Reports suggest that police officers were the first to reach the blaze at Sorenson Court, Crescent Road, on the Leyton Grange Estate.

The woman in the first floor flat, who is believed to be partially sighted, suffered burns, but her injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The police who were called at 4.14am, were already there when the ambulance arrived to take the woman to Whipps Cross University Hospital.

Some officers suffered smoke inhalation but none were taken to hospital.

Four fire engines and 20 firefighters from Leyton, Leytonstone and Homerton, managed to get the blaze under control about an hour later at 5.12am.

Nearby residents were also evacuated but no-one else needed hospital treatment.

Church Road was closed from Simmons Road and Oliver Road, E10 and reopened again at 5.20am.

The Fire Investigation Team have deemed the incident non-suspicious.