A woman and her baby made a narrow escape after a flat fire broke out in Silvertown, Newham, on Sunday afternoon, believed to have been caused by the unsafe disposal of a lit cigarette.
The blaze erupted around 2:53 PM in a four-bedroom flat on Wards Wharf Approach, severely damaging half of the flat and causing significant destruction to two balconies — with one balcony completely destroyed and another partially damaged.
Fortunately, the woman and her baby were able to flee the property before firefighters arrived, and no injuries were reported.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded swiftly, dispatching four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Plaistow, Poplar, Stratford, and Millwall stations. Crews managed to bring the fire under control by 3:40 PM.
Fire Caused by Improper Cigarette Disposal
Investigators from the London Fire Brigade have determined that the fire was accidentally sparked due to the improper disposal of smoking materials.
A spokesperson for LFB issued a stern warning to smokers about the dangers of not properly extinguishing cigarettes. “If you’re a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it,” the spokesperson said. “If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life.”
Fire Safety Advice
In the wake of the incident, LFB is encouraging Londoners to use their free online Home Fire Safety Checker, which provides tailored advice to help identify potential fire hazards in homes.
“The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for,” the spokesperson added. “It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
A Lucky Escape
Residents in the area expressed relief that no one was harmed but also voiced concerns about fire safety in multi-story buildings. “It’s frightening how quickly a small thing like a cigarette can cause so much damage,” said one neighbour.
The London Fire Brigade continues to emphasize the importance of safe smoking practices, especially in residential properties with balconies, where improperly discarded cigarettes can easily ignite fires.
For more information on fire safety and to use the Home Fire Safety Checker, visit the London Fire Brigade’s official website.
