Flat fire - Stratford

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a split-level flat in a four storey block on Maud Road in Stratford.

Half of the maisonette on the second and third floor was damaged by fire. Part of the roof was also affected by the blaze. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued one man and a woman from a ground floor maisonette. They were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Station Commander Matthew Williams who was at the scene: 

"Crews worked exceptionally hard on a unseasonably warm September day to save a large part of the roof and prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding properties. Around 20 people self evacuated the block before we arrived."

The Brigade’s Control took over thirty 999 calls to the visible fire.

The Brigade's Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by the unsafe disposal of matches used to light incense.

Firefighters' tips for using matches and lighters safely:

• Make sure lighters and matches are out and cold before disposing of them or putting them away.
• Preferably wet matches before throwing them into a bin (never a wastepaper basket).
• Never place discarded lighters or matches on to materials that can easily catch fire, like bedding.
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Fit smoke alarms in any room where a fire could start in your home. In smoky or steamy rooms, like your kitchen or bathroom, a heat alarm is more suitable.

The Brigade was called at 1258 and the fire was under control by 1509. Fire crews from Stratford and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.