Flat fire - Plaistow

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Stopford Road in Plaistow.

Half of a flat on the ground floor of a converted end-of-terrace house was damaged by fire. Two people left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is believed to have involved a halogen heater.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We would urge people to take extra care if they are using additional heating appliances to stay warm as there is a very real risk of people being injured by heater fires.

“Fires involving heaters can be easily prevented if people take some sensible, common sense precautions.

“Steps like keeping flammable items, such as curtains, blankets and furniture well away from heaters can make all the difference. It’s also important not to sit too close to them, especially if you’re likely to fall asleep as there is a risk of serious burns, and make sure they are turned off and allowed to cool properly before being moved or put away.

“There were a lot of possessions and clutter inside the house which made it challenging for firefighters.

"Hoarding means exit routes can become blocked, making self-evacuation more difficult. Fires can also spread much faster, especially when there are lots of flammable items such as newspapers or cardboard."

The Brigade was called at 0616 and the fire was under control by 0751. Fire crews from Plaistow, Stratford, East Ham and Leytonstone fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters’ tips for using portable heaters safely

• Make sure heaters are well maintained and in good working order.
• Check that your heater isn't on a recall list – there have been many fires in the past year due to heaters that have been recalled.
• Never install, repair or service appliances unless you are a competent professional yourself. Make sure anyone who does is a registered professional.
• Don't take risks with old heaters – if it's sparking, wires are loose or if it’s showing signs of damage, replace it with a new one or get it tested and repaired by a qualified electrician.
• Keep heaters well away from clothes, curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.
• Always sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair and cause you serious burns.
• Before attempting to move your heater, turn it off and allow it to cool first.
• Gas heater cylinders should be changed in the open air, if you have to change them indoors, make sure all rooms are ventilated and open the windows and doors.
• Never store cylinders in basements, under stairs or on balconies and get empty cylinders collected regularly.
• Halogen heaters can be cheap to buy, but it’s important to buy from a reputable seller as our Fire Investigators have also attended serious fires caused by non-compliant/counterfeit heaters.
• Beware if you have children or pets, in case heaters get knocked over or covered up, leading to overheating and a fire.