Smoking safety reminder after fire at Tottenham flat

Firefighters have issued a reminder about safely disposing of cigarettes and other smoking materials after a fire at a flat in Grovelands Road in Tottenham.

Part of a flat on the ground floor of the building was damaged by fire.

The Brigade’s fire investigators believed that the fire originated in a timber vegetable planter placed outside the window of a ground floor flat before spreading through the window and damaging the inside of the property.

The cause of the fire is believed to be due to the disposal of cigarettes into the timber planter outside of the affected flat.

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 0327 and the fire was under control at 0422. Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from Tottenham, Stoke Newington and Holloway fire stations attended the scene.