‘Beauty blaze’ at student halls of residence

More than 200 students had to evacuate their central London halls of residence after a fire which is believed to have been caused by a hairdryer.

A student discovered the fire after returning to his room in the block in Great Dover Street in the early hours of Thursday morning and called the Brigade.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers attended the fire, which damaged a section of the student’s room.

Crews found a hairdryer plugged in and switched on at the plug but fire investigators have sent the dyer for further analysis to determine exactly what happened.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We are still investigating this fire to determine the exact circumstances but this is a good opportunity to remind people how important it is to ensure that hairdryers and straighteners are turned off at the plug as well as on the appliance.”

In June this year, firefighters attended a fire which investigators believed started when a door was swung open, knocking a hairdryer and switching it on

Firefighters have issued  top tips for avoiding a 'beauty blaze'

1. Hairdryers, hair tongs and straighteners can get extremely hot, so it’s very important to remember to switch them off and leave them to cool on a heat proof surface.
2. Shaving or make up mirrors should be kept away from direct sunlight, along with any canisters, such as deodorant or hairspray.
3. Candles need to be placed on a surface that can’t melt or catch fire, such as a ceramic plate. Always blow them out when you leave the room, and never leave them burning without supervision.

The Brigade was called at 0244 and the fire was under control at 0355. Fire crews from Dowgate, Old Kent Road, Dockhead and Lambeth fire stations were called to the scene.

• To find out how many fires, floodings and other emergency incidents attended by the Brigade there have been in the area, visit our postcode checker.