Firefighters have issued a warning about using portable stoves indoors after being called to a house fire on Tankerton Terrace in Croydon yesterday evening (Wednesday,18 October).
The fire damaged the ground floor of the mid-terraced house and one man, who left the property before the Brigade arrived, was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service as a precaution. Two cylinders were involved in the blaze and eight people were evacuated from neighbouring properties because some cylinders can explode when they are exposed to heat.
It is believed that the fire was caused due to a leak in the join between one of the cylinders and a camping stove which was being used to cook food inside the house.
Watch Manager Mark England from Norbury fire station said: “This fire is a stark reminder that you should never use portable camping equipment indoors. The consequences, as shown by this incident, can be disastrous.
"The fire caused serious damage to the property and could have caused serious injury to people inside.”
The Brigade was called at 2258 and the fire was under control by 0048. Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from Croydon and Norbury fire stations attended the incident.