A hairdryer used to warm a bed up was believed to be the cause of a flat fire at a Hotel and apartment block on Park Lane.
Part of the apartment on the sixth floor was damaged by fire. Around 150 hotel guests and ten staff evacuated the building before the Brigade arrived.
London Fire Brigade Station Officer Oliver Stallworthy said:
“The evenings may be getting colder but it is never a good idea to use a hairdryer to warm your bed up. The man was extremely lucky that he woke up before the bed completely caught fire. He tackled the fire himself and went back to sleep in the living room. Thankfully we were called and made sure the fire was fully extinguished.
“If there is ever a fire in your home, do not try and tackle it yourself. Get out, stay out and call 999.”
The Brigade was called at 0302 and the fire was under control by 0419. Fire crews from Soho, Paddington and Euston fire stations were at the scene.
Firefighters tips for using heaters safely
All heaters
- Make sure heaters are well maintained and in good working order.
- Check that your heater isn't on a recall list – there have been many fires in the past year connected to heaters that have been recalled.
- Never install, repair or service appliances yourself. Make sure anyone who does is registered with the Gas Safe Register (for gas appliances), the Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) (for solid
fuel appliances), or the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) (for oil appliances).
- Don't take risks with old heaters – if it's electrical and getting older, get it tested by a qualified electrician or buy a new one.
- Where appropriate, secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over, or fit wall-mounted heaters.
- Keep heaters well away from clothes, curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.
- Always sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair.
- Before attempting to move your heater, turn it off and allow it to cool first.
