London Fire Brigade is renewing its warning about using candles safely after a spate of fires across the capital over the festive period.
Candles are believed to have caused four fires at properties in just four days, leaving parts of the home severely damaged.
The use of candles is heightened around Christmas time and as we head towards the New Year, firefighters are urging people to take as much care as possible.
Just before 7.30pm last night (27 December), around 25 firefighters were called to a house on Town Road, Edmonton where a fire had spread from a bedroom to the rest of the first-floor as well as the roof. One woman was taken to hospital whilst another woman and a child were also able to escape.
The fire came just two days after a fire on Christmas Day at a house on Princes Park Lane in Hayes, which damaged part of the first floor. Three people left the property thankfully unharmed. In the very early hours of Christmas, Day, firefighters were called to a flat fire on Elmwood Road in Croydon after a candle ignited bedding. Three people escaped unhurt from the fourth-floor blaze.
Meanwhile on Christmas Eve, six fire engines and around 40 firefighters attended a fire at a maisonette in Peckham, with two adults treated for smoke inhalation. The fire, which drew 12 emergency calls, was also caused by a candle left unattended.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner at London Fire Brigade, Richard Arnold, said: “Fires can cause devastation all year round, but this is heightened around Christmas with families potentially left homeless and possessions destroyed. We want to ensure Londoners take every precaution to prevent fires from spoiling the festive period.
“Keep candles well away from any Christmas decorations. Decorations can easily fuel a fire and as Christmas trees dry out, they can burn quickly and cause flames to spread in seconds.
“Consider using battery-powered, flameless LED candles instead, which are safe even if you fall asleep. Whilst they may cost more upfront than traditional candles, they will last considerably longer, giving you better value for money.
“If you do choose to use traditional candles ensure you place them in a heat-resistant holder, on a stable surface where they won’t be knocked over and away from materials that could catch fire. Never leave them unattended around your home, take particular care with children and pets and blow them out properly before you go to bed.
“Whether you’re spending the festive periods at home, or away with friends or family, take some time to carry out a few simple checks to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
“The Brigade’s online Home Fire Safety Checker can guide you around your home and provide you with specific advice to reduce fire risks.”
London is also facing one of its coldest spells of the winter so far currently which means Londoners may turn to alternative ways to heat their homes, such as portable heaters.
Following a house fire on Christmas Day on Haselbury Road in Edmonton, the Brigade is reminding people of the need to use them safely after that fire is believed to have been caused by textiles left too close to a fan heater.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Arnold said: “The rise in energy costs means there’s a very real risk of heating-related fires. We know that people will turn to alternative ways to keep their families warm overnight without turning on the heating, we just want to make sure that people are staying safe at the same time.
“It’s absolutely vital that heaters are kept well away from curtains, furniture, paperwork and are never used to dry clothes. Always sit at least a metre away from the heater as it could set fire to your clothes or your chair, supervise children carefully and position a heater where it won’t be knocked over and away from pets.
"It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure these items are safety registered and in good working order. If you’re using these items around children always supervise them carefully and place heaters somewhere where they won’t be accidentally knocked over and away from anything that could catch fire.”