London Fire Brigade warns smokers after fatal fires

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued a stark warning to smokers to dispose of their cigarettes responsibly after three fires in south London were linked to discarded smoking materials. These incidents follow a house fire in Brent on Tuesday, in which a man died. The cause of the Brent fire is currently under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Weekend Fires

On Friday, LFB tackled a blaze in a first-floor flat on Brookehowse Road in Beckenham. Six fire engines and approximately 40 firefighters attended the incident, which was extinguished by 6pm. Three people were led to safety by firefighters, and no injuries were reported. The following day, five fire engines and around 30 firefighters responded to a fire in an 18th-floor flat on Westbourne Park Road. The fire was under control by around 8.50am, with no injuries reported. Later on Saturday afternoon, four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a ground floor flat on Heathfield Road in Croydon. Three people had left the building before the Brigade arrived, and firefighters assisted one woman to safety. Two people received treatment at the scene from the London Ambulance Service.

Statistics and Advice

Smoking is the third most common cause of accidental fires in London. This year, the LFB has responded to 686 accidental fires caused by smoking, averaging more than two incidents daily. Tragically, four people have died and 55 others have been injured in fires attributed to smoking this year. A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade stated, "These incidents are a stark reminder that smoking is still one of the leading causes of fire in London. While our advice is not to smoke at all, if you are going to smoke it's vital to ensure that your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it and disposed of responsibly. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life." The Brigade also advised against smoking in bed or on sofas, particularly if there is a risk of falling asleep.