A WOMAN was taken to hospital after she was rescued from a burning flat in Manor Park this morning.

Fire crews from East Ham and Ilford were called to the blaze at Willett House, in Grantham Road, just after 3am.

They broke down the front door with a sledgehammer before entering the flat wearing breathing apparatus to retrieve the woman.

Firefighters performed CPR at the scene until paramedics arrived and treated her, before taking her to hospital.

A man who had already left the flat before crews arrived also suffered serious smoke inhalation and cuts.

Fifteen firefighters spent three-and-a-half hours tackling the blaze.

The cause is under investigation but it is not being treated as suspicious.

Watch Manager Nigel McCormick, from Ilford fire station, said: “This was not a particularly fierce fire but it produced a large quantity of toxic black smoke, which quickly filled the flat.

“Although there was a smoke alarm on the ceiling it wasn’t working.

“We would remind people to check they have a working fire alarm. If not then they can contact the fire brigade who will come and fit one for them.”