Overloading electrical devices is believed to have caused a fire at a block of flats on Colville Estate near Whitmore Road in Hoxton.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire in a four-storey building. Most of a flat on the second floor and part of a flat on the third floor were damaged by fire. Thankfully there were no reports of injuries.
The Brigade received the first of seven calls at 1417 and Control Officers mobilised crews from Shoreditch, Shadwell, Homerton, Bethnal Green, Whitechapel and Dockhead fire stations to the scene. A 32-metre turntable ladder from Soho Fire Station also attended. The fire was brought under control by 1528.
Brigade’s top electrical safety tips:
- Don't use imitation electrical chargers as they may be unsafe
- Make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them
- Unplugging appliances and chargers when you are not using them or when you go to bed helps reduce the risk of fire
- For plugs that do not come fitted to the appliance, always check you're using the right fuse
Keep to one plug per socket - If you use an adaptor, use a fused 'in line' type. The adaptor or extension lead will have a limit of how much power it can safely provide so be careful not to overload sockets
- Remember: scorch marks, flickering lights, hot plugs and sockets, fuses that low or circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reasons could be signs of loose or dangerous wiring