Smoking safety reminder after flat fire in Wembley

Firefighters have issued a smoking safety reminder after a discarded cigarette is believed to have caused a fire at a flat on Hatton Road in Wembley.

Part of the decking on a balcony of a thirteenth floor flat was destroyed by fire. A number of residents from the floor where the blaze originated, and surrounding floors, were evacuated by the Brigade as a precaution. There were no reported injuries.

The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 23 calls about the fire.

Fire investigators believe the cause of the fire was the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:  “If you're a smoker 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 which could not only destroy your home, but also cost you your life.”

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 0703 and the incident was over by 0933.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters from Wembley, Park Royal, Northolt and other surrounding fire stations attended the scene.