Flat fire - Brent Park

Firefighters are sharing their smoking safety advice after a fire at a flat on Lansbury Close in Brent Park. 

Most of a ground floor flat was damaged by fire. One man left the affected flat before the Brigade arrived and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. Firefighters assisted two adults and five children to safety from an adjacent flat. A child was treated on scene after suffering from shock. 

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

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "The fire was contained to a flat on the ground floor and smoke logged the ground floor corridor. 

"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 make sure smoking materials are cold before emptying ashtrays.

"It's also vital that you never smoke in bed, on armchairs or sofas and take extra care when you're tired or if you've been drinking alcohol."

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.
• Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen, an air flow pressure relief mattress or emollient creams.
• Consider additional safety measures such as fire retardant bedding or nightwear.

The Brigade was called at 1652 and the fire was under control by 1759. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wembley and Park Royal fire stations attended the scene.