Flat fire in Covent Garden prompts smoking safety reminder from firefighters

Firefighters have issued a smoking safety reminder after a fire at a flat above a restaurant on Bedford Street in Covent Garden.

Part of a fourth floor flat in the five-storey building was damaged by fire. There were no reports of any 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 before bed, make sure your cigarette is fully out preferably in an ashtray and never leave your lit cigarette unattended. As we’ve seen here, carelessly discarded cigarettes can easily start fires.”

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 1539 and the fire as under control by 1650. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Soho, Dowgate and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene.