A deaf woman managed to rescue herself from her burning flat thanks to her specialist flashing smoke alarm which alerted her to the fire in time.

Purley firefighters were called to the home of the deaf woman at 6.03am on Sunday but were relieved to discover she had got herself out of her smoke filled flat before they arrived.

The Church Road resident was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

A BBC documentary team, which have been shadowing London's fire investigation unit since February 12, were also at the Croydon property gathering insight into the unit's role.

The footage will be used for a television programme to be screened later this year. The fire was contained in the top floor flat's storage cupboard and it is believed to have been caused by a faulty electronic timer.

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: "If she hadn't fitted a flashing smoke alarm it could have been a different story but everyone should fit a smoke alarm in their homes."