Last updated: 09/05/2024, 11:09 AM

Flat fire - Wimbledon

22/08/2023 11:23
Merton
House or flat fire
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Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a fire on The Downs in Wimbledon.

Most of a fourth-floor flat in a four-storey residential block was damaged by fire. Twenty-seven people evacuated the building. There were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is being treated as accidental and is believed to have been caused by sunlight refracting off a mirror onto a curtain.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "These sorts of fires are not as rare as you would think. They can happen all year around, but particularly in the summer when the sun is stronger, it’s really important that reflective items such as mirrors, crystals and glass ornaments are kept out of direct sunlight."

The Brigade was called at 1123 and the fire was brought under control by 1217. Crews from Wimbledon, New Malden, Wandsworth, Mitcham and surrounding fire stations have been in attendance.

Brigade’s top safety tips 

  • Keep mirrors and crystal or glass objects away from the sunny sills. 
  • Fit at least one smoke alarm per floor and test them every week to make sure they work and the batteries are not flat. 
  • If you have a fire, close the door on the blaze, get out, stay out and call the Brigade. 

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