Firefighters are today reminding Enfield residents living in purpose built flats about the importance of knowing their fire safety plan following a blaze in Ponders End.
Crews were called to the fire in a four storey block on South Street late on Friday afternoon (18 July).
The blaze affected a second floor stairwell and landing where a mattress and plastic toys had caught fire. Residents living in the block received fire survival guidance from 999 Control officers until crews arrived and when they got to the scene firefighters told people to stay put inside their flats to keep safe while they tackled the blaze.
Crews managed to contain the fire to the stairwell and landing.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Living in a flat is not more dangerous than living in a house, but it’s important to know that your fire plan should be different. Flats and maisonettes are built to give you some protection from fire – a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 60. Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a time. If there is a fire elsewhere in the building but not inside your home you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.”
“If you leave your flat you could be rushing into choking smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building.”
The spokesperson added: “This fire started after a mattress on a landing caught fire. It’s important to make sure halls and exits are kept clear of items like this as not only can they pose a fire risk, they can prevent your escape route if there is a fire.
“We believe the fire was started accidently by a discarded cigarette. It’s vital you fully extinguish cigarettes before discarding them.”
Two fire engines and ten firefighters and officers from Enfield fire station attended the incident They were called at 1709 and the fire was under control by 1851.
London Fire Brigade has launched a major new safety campaign designed to improve awareness of fire safety for the residents of high rise buildings and purpose built blocks and to encourage landlords and housing providers to act on their fire safety responsibilities.