Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Leeland Way in Neasden.
Part of a three room flat, located on the third floor in a block of three floors, was damaged by the fire. A male resident was led to safety by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, and treated for smoke inhalation by the London Ambulance Service. There are no reports of any further injuries.
The Brigade was called about the fire at 1924, with Control Officers mobilising firefighters from West Hampstead and Park Royal to the scene. Crews had the fire under control by 1959.
The fire is believed to have been accidental, caused by flammable items being placed too close to a heat source.
Firefighters tips for using heaters safely
- 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.
- 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 connected to heaters that have been recalled.
- Never install, repair or service appliances yourself. Make sure anyone who does is registered with the Gas Safe Register (for gas appliances), the Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) (for solid fuel appliances), or the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) (for oil appliances).
- Don't take risks with old heaters – if it's electrical and getting older, get it tested by a qualified electrician or buy a new one.
