Four fire engines and 25 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Stanway Street in Hackney.
Firefighters tackled a fire on the second and third floor of an 11 storey block of flats. The blaze damaged part of a balcony on the second floor, one man left the before the Brigade arrived.
The Brigade was called at 2000 and the fire was under control by 2048. Fire crews from Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Dowgate and Stoke Newington fire stations attended the scene.
The fire was caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking material.
10 essential safety tips for smokers
- It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
- Never throw cigarette butts from a balcony, they could start a fire elsewhere.
- Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
- Use deep, heavy ashtrays which can’t tip over. Add a small drop of water to the ashtray and stub cigarettes out properly.
- Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended, or sat on the edge of an ashtray – they can tip and fall as they burn away.
- Empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin. Never use a wastepaper basket.
- Take extra care when you’re tired, and if you're drinking alcohol or taking prescription or recreational drugs.
- Avoid buying counterfeit cigarettes, they are less likely to self-extinguish, which increases the risk of fire.
- Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, and buy child resistant lighters.
- Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen or an air flow pressure relief mattress. If you use emollients and skin creams, or use fire retardant bedding consider using fire retardant bedding or nightwear.
