Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a house on Keir Hardie Way in Barking.
Half of the first floor and part of the roof of an end-of-terrace house was damaged by fire. One man and a child left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the cause fire was accidental and involved an extension lead.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “It’s important to be mindful not to overload extension leads. Power-hungry appliances such as kettles, toasters and microwaves shouldn’t be on the same extension.
"It’s also important to fully unwind drum extension leads. If you leave them coiled, they can overheat and cause a fire.”
Firefighters' top tips for electrical device safety
- Try to keep to one plug per socket, especially for high powered appliances like washing machines.
- Always check that you’re using the right fuse – check out our guide to fuses
- Be lead safety savvy – cable drum extension leads should always be completely unwound to avoid overheating, and be careful not to overload extension leads
- Always make sure electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them.
- Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order.
- Don't buy cheap counterfeit chargers for items that use lithium batteries, and never leave phones or laptops plugged in to charge overnight - learn more about charger safety here.
- Empty fluff regularly from tumble dryers in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Hair straighteners can get extremely hot – always switch them off and leave them to cool on a heatproof surface.
- Register your white goods– it could save your life if a product is recalled for safety reasons.
The Brigade was called at 2213 and the fire was under control by 2319. Fire crews from Barking and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.
