The London Fire Brigade have dealt with a house fire in Scotland Green Road, Enfield in which an elderly woman suffered slight burns.

She was rescued before fire appliances arrived by a retired firefighter.

Paul Clarke, a former London Fire Brigade station manager, heard the smoke alarm and entered the house to find his elderly neighbour inside.

He quickly got her out and comforted her before Brigade and Ambulance crews arrived.

Station Manager Nic McCallum, who was at the scene said:

I went to thank the neighbour for their efforts and it was a pleasant surprise to see Paul standing in the garden, clearly nothing had been lost after ten years of retirement. His actions were true to form but I was thankful he had not deemed it necessary to remove his retirement axe from its mounting to gain entry.

As well as congratulating Paul on his efforts I’d also like to put on record the prompt actions from firefighters at the scene which stopped this incident from escalating.

The woman was suffering from smoke inhalation and slight burns and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

It’s reported that half of the ground floor was alight.

The London Ambulance Service says an elderly lady has been treated for burns.

They’ve had first responder paramedic units at the scene.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers attended the incident.

A large part of the ground floor was damaged by fire.

The Brigade was called at 12.33 and the fire was under control by 1.39 pm.

Firefighters from Enfield, Edmonton and Chingford fire stations attended the scene.