THE MP for Hendon praised his constituency’s fire service after witnessing its work first-hand at a house fire in West Hendon this morning.

Matthew Offord was visiting the crew when the blaze broke out at around 10.20am in Wilberforce Road.

Two fire engines arrived on the scene and the road was cordoned off whilst around 10 firefighters got the flames under control at around 10.40am.

Mr Offord was then invited to examine the extent of damage caused to a bedroom on the first floor where the fire broke out.

Mr Offord said: “The Hendon and Mill Hill firefighters attend almost two thousand incidents each year and have an attendance time of approximately three-four minutes.

"This is a public service we can be proud of but local residents have a role in reducing the number of incidents by installing a smoke alarm.

“The speed in which a fire can spread so quickly is frightening and something that everyone should be aware of.

“People should not only check electrical appliances for over-loading and remember to extinguish candles, but should also have an escape plan in the event of a fire.”