Garden fire – Walthamstow

Firefighters are urging smokers to dispose of cigarettes carefully after a garden fire on Livingstone Road in Walthamstow.

A garden shed was completely destroyed by fire, a shed in a neighbour’s garden was also completely damaged by the blaze.

Crews cooled a gas cylinder which were involved in the fire to an ambient temperature as cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.

The cause of the fire is believed to be due to the unsafe disposal of smoking materials. 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.
• 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.

The Brigade was called at 2142 and the incident was under control by 2252. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Walthamstow and Homerton fire stations attended the scene.