Flat fire - Brixton

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire at a flat on Aytoun Road in Brixton.

Half of a four-roomed flat on the first floor of the building was damaged by fire. One woman and two children left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 12 calls to the blaze.

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

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Fires caused by smoking materials including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipes, result in more deaths than any other type of fire. Stub cigarettes out properly and always dispose of them carefully.

“Make sure smoking materials are cold before emptying ashtrays. Preferably wet stubs before throwing them into a bin.”

Safety advice for smokers:

• It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
• Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
• Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
• Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
• Don't balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire.
• Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended. 
• Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.
• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, and buy child resistant lighters.

The Brigade was called at 1837 and the fire was under control by 1934. Fire crews from Brixton, Clapham, Lambeth and Peckham fire stations attended the scene.