Flat fire - Acton

Firefighters are urging people to properly extinguish their cigarettes after a fire on the balcony of a flat in Park Road East in Acton.

The balcony and around half of a flat on the seventh floor of a 13 storey building were damaged by fire.

The Brigade's fire investigators believe the fire was caused by a cigarette dropped from a flat above where the fire started. 

When firefighters arrived on scene, the fire was very visible with flames coming from the balcony of the flat. The Brigade’s 999 Control centre received 15 calls alerting them to the blaze. 

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If you smoke it is vitally important you stub it right out. Never throw lit cigarette butts out of windows as you don’t know what it may land on and could potentially start a fire.”

Safety advice for smokers:

• Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted in every room you regularly use in your home including in the hallways.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Always ensure you stub out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully.
• Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach.
• Never leave lit cigarettes or cigars unattended.
• Empty ashtrays carefully, ensuring all smoking materials are stubbed out and cold.
• If you must smoke, do it outdoors.

Around 60 people left the building before the Brigade arrived.

The Brigade was called at 1940 and was under control by 2029. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters from Acton, Chiswick, Ealing, Hammersmith, Richmond, Kensington and North Kensington fire stations attended the scene.