Fire at house converted into flats - Norbury

Firefighters are reminding people to ensure they properly extinguish their cigarettes after a fire at a house converted into flats in St Helen's Road in Norbury.

The alarm was raised when neighbours saw smoke coming from a the balcony of a first floor flat. The balcony of the flat was destroyed by the fire and a small part of one room of the flat sustained fire damaged.

The Brigade's fire investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by a discarded cigarette.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If you smoke, it is vitally important to ensure your cigarette is disposed of carefully by stubbing it out, preferably in an ash tray. If you smoke before bed, make sure your cigarette is fully out and never leave your lit cigarette unattended. As we’ve seen here, carelessly discarded cigarettes can easily start fires.”

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.

The Brigade was called at 1604 and the fire was under control at 1710. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Norbury, West Norwood and Tooting fire stations attended the scene.