Flat fire - East Sheen

Firefighters have issued a reminder for residents to ensure they test their smoke alarms to see if they work after a fire at a flat on Upper Richmond Road in East Sheen.

Part of a three-roomed flat on the first floor was damaged by the blaze. Two people left the property before the Brigade arrived. They were treated on scene and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. The Brigade's 999 control room took 11 calls to the fire.

The smoke alarm in the property was not working and following the blaze firefighters installed two new working smoke alarms.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Having working smoke alarms is so important in helping to detect fires and save lives. They can provide time to escape.

“As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor - in the hallways and the rooms you use the most, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. They should be tested regularly."

Smoke and fire alarm must-knows

• Don't just fit a smoke alarm in your hall and landing – also fit them in any room where a fire can start.
• Fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen will give you warning of an increase in temperature caused by a fire but will not be set off by cooking fumes. 
• Some battery or mains alarms can be interlinked, so that when one alarm detects a fire they all go off together, giving you warning wherever you are in your home. 
• If you choose to have a mains-powered alarm, make sure it's installed by a qualified electrician.

The Brigade was called at 1746 and the fire was under control by 1901. Four engines and around 25 firefighters from Wandsworth, Chiswick and Kingston fire stations attended the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.