Firefighters were forced to tackle a fire inside a flat in Brockley over the weekend, all caused by a cigarette.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to the blaze on Endwell Road in Brockley at around 3:20pm, Saturday.
There were 17 different calls about the fire, and four people had fled the building when London Fire Brigade arrived.
Firefighters had the fire under control by 4:17pm, and they confirmed that there were no injuries.
Part of the five-roomed flat, located in a four-storey block, was damaged by the fire, and half of a balcony was also damaged.
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the fire was caused by the unsafe disposal of a cigarette.
Following the blaze, they issued 10 safety tips regarding smoking:
- It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
- Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
- Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
- Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out 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.
- Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.
- 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.
- Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, and buy child resistant lighters.
- Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen or an air flow pressure relief mattress. If you use paraffin-based emollient creams, ask for non-flammable alternatives instead.
- Consider additional safety measures such as fire retardant bedding or nightwear.
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