Construction site fire - Beckton

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a construction site on Basin Approach in Beckton.

A skip and a range of shuttering were destroyed by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was accidental and 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.”

The Brigade was called at 1504 and the fire was under control by 1605. Fire crews from Barking, Poplar, Stratford and Ilford fire stations attended the scene.

Safety advice for smokers:

• It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly
• 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.