Smoke alarm alerts resident to fire in Plaistow

Firefighters are reminding people about the importance of having working smoke alarms after a fire at a house converted into flats on Radland Road in Canning Town. 

The occupier of the flat was alerted to a fire in their living room after they heard their smoke alarm sounding. 

Half of the ground floor was damaged by fire. One man left the building before the Brigade arrived. He was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews and taken to hospital as a precaution. 

Plaistow Watch Manager John Holtem, who was at the scene, said: 

"When we arrived, there were large plumes of smoke coming out of the top two windows. 

The occupier was alerted to the fire by his smoke alarms. It’s incidents like these that show how important it is to have working smoke alarms and regularly test them.

“This incident shows just how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of your home. 

“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.” 

The Brigade's fire investigators believe the fire was caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials, such as a cigarette or match, igniting the sofa. 

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 0124 and the fire was under control at 0217. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Plaistow, Poplar, East Ham, and Stratford fire stations attended the scene.