The Fire Brigade has reminded smokers to fully put out their cigarettes after a fire broke out in a Brixton block of flats this week, believed to have been triggered by the ‘unsafe disposal of smoking materials’.
The fifth and sixth floors of an 11-storey block of flats were destroyed by the fire which broke out just after 8 in the morning.
One man escaped from the flat before the Brigade arrived, along with one adult and four children from a neighbouring flat.
Two adults and one child left a flat from a flat at a lower level following guidance from the Brigade’s 999 Control officers. A further 21 residents self evacuated the building.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and ‘most likely caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials from an upper flat, igniting items stored on the private balcony of the flat below’ according to the LFB.
The Brigade’s Control Officers took the first of 25 calls about the fire at 08:05. They mobilised eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters from Brixton, Clapham, Peckham, Lambeth, Battersea and West Norwood fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control at 09:33.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If you’re a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life.
“Firefighters recommend that you have a look at our online Home Fire Safety Checker to make sure there are no hidden hazards in your home.
“The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
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Firefighters’ smoking safety tips
- Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
- Don’t leave lit cigarettes unattended.
- It’s safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
- Don’t balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire.
- Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
- Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket
