Two people were treated in hospital following a house fire in Kilburn believed to have been started by a cigarette.
A man escaped but a woman was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus from the blaze in Streatley Road, the early hours of Saturday morning.
Both were rushed to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters from West Hampstead, Willesden and Fulham stations dealt with the blaze.
An investigation into the 6.45am fire is underway but officers believe a carelessly stubbed out cigarette is to blame.
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “Cigarettes can smoulder for quite some time if not extinguished properly.
“Make sure you fully extinguish cigarettes before discarding of them- we recommend filling your ashtray with water at the end of the night to make sure all embers are out.”
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