Balcony fire in Hackney prompts smoking safety reminder from firefighters

Firefighters have issued a smoking safety reminder after a discarded cigarette is believed to have caused a balcony fire on Kenninghall Road in Hackney.

The balcony of a flat on the eighth floor of a 17-storey block was badly damaged by fire. The remainder of the flat suffered smoke damage.  An occupant smelt smoke and was then alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm. Fifty people left the building before the arrival of the Brigade. One man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews as a precaution.

Fire investigators believe a carelessly discarded cigarette to be the be cause of the fire.

Watch Manager Adam Mosely of Homerton Fire Station said:  “The fire was out when crews arrived as the occupant had tackled it themselves. Thankfully they were not seriously injured, but we would always advise people to leave their property immediately upon discovering a fire and to call 999.

“If you smoke,  it is also important to ensure your cigarette is disposed of carefully by stubbing it out, preferably in an ash tray. If you smoke before bed, make sure your cigarette is fully out 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 0241 and the fire was under control by 0336. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Homerton and Stoke Newington fire stations attended the scene.