House fire - Kensington

Firefighters are warning smokers to make sure that cigarettes are put out and disposed of carefully after a rooftop blaze at a mid-terraced house divided into flats on Ifield Road in Kensington.

Around half of the external wooden decking on the flat roof of the four-storey building was damaged by fire. The Brigade was alerted to the fire by a quick-thinking passerby who spotted smoke coming from the roof and dialled 999. Two people left the property before the Brigade arrived. No injuries were reported.

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

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We’d rather you didn’t smoke at all, but if you are a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it.

“If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home, but also cost you your life.”

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.
• 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 1402 and the fire was under control by 1501. Fire crews from Fulham, Chelsea, North Kensington and Soho fire stations attended the scene.