A cigarette is thought to have caused a fire which destroyed two sheds in Eynsford Crescent last night (May 22).

Four fire engines and 20 fire fighters from Bexley, Sidcup and Eltham were called to the residential road just after 7pm to reports of a shed alight.

Six people managed to escape unhurt. 

Following the blaze London Fire Brigade issued a warning today about the consequences of incorrect cigarette disposal.

Flames spread from the shed, which was completely destroyed by the blaze, to the back door of the house causing smoke damage.

The conservatory and guttering of the neighbouring property were also damaged and the shed was left ravaged by the blaze.

Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, it’s thought the blaze was caused by the careless disposal of a cigarette next to the shed. 

Julie Hofs, whose shed was destroyed, arrived home just as the fire was being brought under control.

She said the cause of the blaze remains unknown and both gardens were secured at the time with locked gates.

"Nobody heard anything so we don't think it could be deliberate," she said.

 

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Both sheds suffered massive fire damage. (c) London Fire Brigade

Mrs Hofs said her shed was burnt to the ground.

"It is just like a little pile of charcoal on the floor," she said.

"It's very lucky that the fire brigade were here as quickly as they could, because they restricted the damage just to the garden.

"I think both houses could have gone up if they hadn't been here as quickly as they were."

Watch Manager Andrew Roscoe, who was at the fire, said the flames spread rapidly between the two sheds.

"The fire had also spread to the back of both houses," he said. "Firefighters had to work very quickly to stop the fire spreading any further and bring it under control.”

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said fires caused by smoking materials- including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipe tobacco- result in more deaths than any other type of fire.

"Last year around three fires a day in London were linked to smoking and half of accidental fire deaths were related to careless disposal of cigarettes," she said.

"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."

 

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Picture by @Deano2400

 

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she noticed the commotion from her living room window.

"It was a surprising amount of smoke and flames," said the 71-year-old. "It went on for quite a while for such a small fire.

"Fortunately nobody was hurt and bar the back door there was no damage to the house."

The road was filled with emergency services and neighbours watching firefighters tackle the flames.

The Eynsford Crescent resident, who has lived in the road for 22 years, said it was "very lucky" that the fire didn't spread any further.

"It's only a small passage between the shed and the house. Their shed is a lot closer to their house, so it could have been much worse," she said.

It is thought the occupants of the house were forced to stay elsewhere overnight because of the smoke damage.

 

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Picture by @Deano2400

 

Did you see what happened? Call the news room on 01689 885734 or email: jessica.bell@london.newsquest.co.uk