Two women, two men and a child were lucky to escape uninjured from a fire that broke out in a bedroom of a flat above a shop on Keppel Road, East Ham last night.
On discovering the fire, the women and child evacuated the property, but the two men remained and tried to extinguish the fire themselves using a bucket of water.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “It’s only natural to want to protect possessions but the bottom line is, when a fire starts in your home never try to tackle it yourself. Your priority is to get out, stay out and call 999.”
All five residents were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service and small area of the bedroom was damaged in the fire.
The fire is believed to have been caused by candles left unattended.
The Brigade’s top tips for using candles safely are:
• Always use a heat resistant holder on a stable surface, which won't be knocked over
• Tea lights can melt through plastic surfaces like a TV or bath
• Keep these items away from materials that may catch fire such as curtains, furniture, clothes and hair
• Make sure you put out any candles, incense and oil burners when you leave the room and especially before bed
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters and officers attended the blaze from East Ham and Plaistow fire stations.
The Brigade was called at 2047 and the fire was under control by 2103.