Four people were evacuated after a fire broke out at a laundrette in Lewisham, beneath flats on St Georges Parade in Perry Hill. The blaze, which occurred on Sunday, October 13, at around 10:50 p.m., is believed to have been started by an overheated tumble dryer.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to the scene to tackle the fire. The laundrette, located on the ground floor of the two-storey building, was damaged by the flames. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire was brought under control by 12:09 a.m. on Monday.
The fire is thought to have been accidental, caused by the “self-heating of textiles” that had been contaminated with oil, such as linseed, massage, or cooking oil—common on items like tea towels and tablecloths.
A spokesperson from the LFB provided safety advice to prevent similar incidents: “When textiles are washed and put in tumble dryers, the heat can build up if it cannot escape, leading to smouldering and eventually igniting. It’s important to follow cooling cycles and allow heat to dissipate before stacking laundered items.”
The incident highlights the risks associated with improper handling of textiles in commercial laundry settings and serves as a reminder to follow proper cleaning and drying procedures to avoid such fires.
Investigations continue, but the fire is being treated as accidental.
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