A Sutton man safely escaped from a fire in his flat thanks to a sprinkler system installed at his residential care home.
The Brigade was called to a fire in a two roomed ground floor flat on Mickleham Gardens in Cheam on Saturday, but thankfully sprinklers had already put out the blaze before crews arrived at the scene.
The elderly occupant left the property before the arrival of the Brigade and was treated by London Ambulance Service for shock.
A small area of the flat was damaged by fire.
Station Manager Richard Field from Sutton fire station, said: “This close call shows just how vital sprinklers are in care homes and sheltered accommodation – they not only stop fires from spreading, they save lives.
“People living in sheltered accommodation and extra care facilities are often very vulnerable to fire. They may have limited mobility or a disability which makes it difficult for them to notice a fire and react quickly. If it wasn’t for the flat’s sprinkler system this fire could have had a very different outcome.
“It appears the careless disposal of cigarettes was the cause of the fire. 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. It is extremely fortunate that no-one was hurt in this fire.”
Fire engines from Sutton and New Malden fire stations attended the incident. The Brigade was called at 2312 and the incident was over at 2347.
To find out more about the benefit of installing sprinklers visit http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/sprinklers.asp