RESIDENTS have expressed relief at the "lucky escape" of tenants in a block of flats which was engulfed by flames at the weekend.
The Frances Court building, in Frances Road, Chingford, was badly gutted by the blaze, which broke out on Saturday (January 29) just before 6pm.
One woman had to be rescued by fire-fighters when she climbed out of her apartment to escape the flames and got caught on a balcony.
A 22-year-old man also managed to flee the block before the emergency services arrived.
He was later taken to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone suffering from the effects of suspected smoke inhalation.
But residents in the street, which is located off Chingford Mount Road, said the outcome could have been far worse as most tenants were not in when the fire broke out.
The only casualty is thought to have been a cat, which fire-fighters reportedly found dead inside the building.
Tony Ralph, 46, lives opposite the four-flat block.
He said: "Before it spread there were these huge flames coming from one kitchen window.
"It seemed like a gas pipe had come detached because the fire kept shooting out through the frame.
"There was a woman on the balcony who managed to get out before it got really bad. There was a lot of smoke.
"It's very lucky no-one died. It could've been a lot worse."
Dean Croft, 49, is the owner of the shop Neil Harris Motorcycles, which shares part of the building.
He said: "I think everyone is just thankful that no-one was badly hurt or died.
"The fire didn't come into my shop but the back is a bit of a mess now. We've got smoke damage and water damage from the fire-fighters' hoses and my computer has been ruined.
"It's probably going to cost thousands of pounds. And I have to wait for the insurers to come round before it can be cleaned up. But it's one of those things."
A spokesman for the Chingford-based landlord of the block, RKJ Developments and Lettings, said: "The tenants are now in other accommodation but I can't go into personal details."
The fire is under investigation but the Guardian understands an electric heater may have been involved in its cause.
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "Two flats on the first floor of the three storey building were partly damaged by the fire.
"Part of the communal stairway leading from the ground to the second floors was also damaged."
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