Fire Brigade Issue Safety Warning to Smokers
After discarded cigarette blamed for flat fire on Hammersmith Road
London Fire Brigade has issed a safety reminder to smokers after a flat fire on Hammersmith Road on New Year's Day was thought to be caused by a discarded cigarette.
Three people left the property before the Brigade arrived and thankfully there were no injuries.
Hammersmith Sub Officer Ed Hawes said: "The fire was contained to the bedroom and this was helped by one of the residents closing the bedroom door shut when they left the property.
"Incidents like this show how important it is to safely dispose of cigarettes properly. 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 that could destroy not only your home, but also your life."
The Brigade says it was called at 3.11pm on 1 January and the fire was under control by 3.52pm. Fire crews from Hammersmith, Kensington and Fulham fire stations were at the scene.
It was the second call-out over New Year for the brigade, following a fatal incident on New Year's Eve at a flat on Chelmsford Close on Margravine Road in Hammersmith.
Firefighters found the body of a man and he was pronounced dead at the scene, a ground floor flat which was badly damaged by the blaze.
One woman escaped from the flat without injury before the Brigade arrived.
A further five residents evacuated from flats within the block, with four treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews and one taken to hospital.
Two other residents from a flat in the block were led to safety by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and had no reported injuries.
The Brigade was called at 9.26pm and the fire was under control at 11.10pm.
Fire crews from Hammersmith, Fulham and Kensington fire stations attended the incident.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Met Police.
January 10, 2020