Flat fire - Finsbury Park

Firefighters are sharing their top tips for safe candle use after a fire at a flat on Seven Sisters Road in Finsbury Park. 

A bedsit on the first floor of a four-storey block of flats was destroyed by fire. Around 153 people left the building. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led one woman to safety from a third floor bedsit via an internal staircase. She was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation. 

The Brigade's Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by the unsafe use of a candle.

Station Commander Clive Robinson said: "Firefighters used a fire escape hood to lead a woman to safety who was on a third floor balcony. Crews assisted her down to the ground floor and she was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews. 

"Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier."

Firefighters’ candle safety top tips

• Make sure you put out any candles, incense and oil burners when you leave the room and especially before bed.
• These items should always be held firmly in heat-resistant holders and placed on a stable surface where they won’t be knocked over.
• Keep them away from materials that might catch fire – that's things like curtains, furniture, clothes and hair.
• Be especially careful if you have a lot of flammable items in your home, like collections of books, magazines or papers.
• Be aware that tea lights get very hot and without proper holders can melt through plastic surfaces like a TV or bath.
• To avoid accidents keep candles and other naked flames out of reach of children and pets.
• LED candles can be a great alternative – they're safe even if you fall asleep or forget to blow them out

The Brigade was called at 0821 and the fire was under control by 0952. Fire crews from Holloway, Stoke Newington and Islington fire stations attended the scene.