'Locked in' boy saved by fire crew

The toddler was rescued from a first-floor room in a maisonette in Deptford, south-east London, just after 9.30am on Friday.

Two fire engines were sent to the home in Lynch Walk, where crews wearing breathing apparatus found the little boy alone.

According to local newspaper the News Shopper, he was left in a locked bedroom with a doughnut and a bowl of milk.

Watch manager John Banks told the newspaper: "We have never seen anything like this. We have found kids alone before - but not locked in a room in a burning building. If we had got there 15 minutes later then we probably would have been looking at a fatality."

The boy's mother, who is in her 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

She is in custody at a south London police station.

A 45-year-old man was taken to hospital by ambulance suffering from smoke inhalation.

The toddler was taken to hospital for checks and then discharged. He is now in the care of social services.

The fire, which damaged the ground floor of the property, was brought under control in 20 minutes.