Woman arrested after rescue from burning flat in north London

A woman has been arrested after she was pulled to safety from a burning flat above a popular north London cafe.

Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building in Harringay Green Lanes after the fire broke out at about 3.30pm.

Crews wearing oxygen masks entered the smoke-filled building and rescued the woman from a second floor flat above the Snug cafe. On Twitter, bystanders posted pictures of a large emergency services presence in the area and fire crews dousing the flames from an aerial ladder platform.

Scott McCormick tweeted: “Fire on Green Lanes. Multiple fire engines and street closed.”

Wesley Rykalski wrote: “Something is badly wrong on Green Lanes. Lots of blue lights and stopped traffic. Harringay.”

Elizabeth Woodcraft said: “GreenLanes Fire in building. #Traffic hold up. Great response from our emergency services.”

Fire crews from Hornsey, Walthamstow, Kentish Town, Stoke Newington and Tottenham fire stations attended the incident.

An LFB spokesman said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Officers, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended the scene.

“A woman was rescued from the building and was taken to a north London hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

“She has since been arrested on suspicion of arson and endangering life. Enquires continue.