Smoking safety warning after Chiswick shop fire

Firefighters are urging people to make sure they fully extinguish cigarettes when they have finished smoking after a fire at a shop in Chiswick High Road, Chiswick.

Members of staff saw smoke coming from the office area and also spotted fire coming from a flat roof. The two members of staff evacuated the building and called the Brigade.

A storeroom at the rear of the ground floor of the shop was partly damaged by fire. A flat roof and ceiling above the shop office was damaged by fire. There were no reported injuries.

The Brigade’s fire investigators believe the fire was caused by the unsafe disposal of cigarettes.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If you smoke it is vitally important you stub it right out. Never throw lit cigarette butts out of windows as you don’t know what it may land on and could potentially start a fire.”

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 1059 and the fire was under control by 1211. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Chiswick, Hammersmith, Acton and other surrounding fire stations attended the scene.