A woman was rescued by firefighters from a blazing house in Canning Town last night after neighbours - and her parents - made vain attempts to reach her.

They had tried to force their way in through the back of the property in King George Avenue but were thwarted by double glazed windows, according to crews.

She was found unconcscious on the top floor at about 10pm and taken by ambulance to The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel suffering from smoke inhalation.

An investigation will now determine the cause of the fire.

Plaistow Green Watch manager David Torrice said firefighters entered through the open front door of the house.

He said: “The neighbours were all outside when we got there.

“They had tried to make an entry through the back window but that was difficult because they are double glazed.

The fire was under control within 15 minutes and crews remained on the scene until the fire investigation team arrived.