Firefighters have issued a heater safety warning after a house fire on Wisley Road in Orpington.
Most of the first floor of an end-of-terrace house was damaged by fire. Four people left the building before the Brigade arrived and two women were assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by a fault in an electric heater.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We’re expecting more people to look in their lofts and garages for heaters to use in replacement of turning on the heating through the colder months. If you’re getting an older heater out, check that it is in good condition. If it’s sparking, wires are loose, safety guards or other safety features are missing, or if it’s showing signs of damage, replace it with a new one or get it tested and repaired by a qualified electrician. Check that the heater isn’t on a recall list too and always buy them from a reputable seller. Fire Investigators have attended serious fires in recent years caused by non-compliant and counterfeit heaters that have been recalled due to safety concerns.
“It’s also absolutely vital that heaters are kept well away from curtains, furniture, paperwork and are never used to dry clothes. Always sit at least a metre away from the heater, particularly those using them whilst working from home, as it could set fire to your clothes or your chair and position them where they won’t be knocked over and away from pets.”
The Brigade was called at 1445 and the fire was under control by 1530. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Sidcup and Orpington fire stations attended the scene.