Lewisham Laundrette Blaze Sparks Late-Night Evacuation
Fire Breaks Out Under Flats in Perry Hill
Four people were evacuated after a fire erupted at a laundrette beneath flats on St Georges Parade, Perry Hill in Lewisham. The blaze broke out just before 11pm on Sunday, October 13, reportedly caused by an overheated tumble dryer.
Firefighters Race to Scene
London Fire Brigade scrambled four fire engines and 25 firefighters to tackle the inferno. Flames damaged the ground-floor laundrette in the two-storey building. Thankfully, no one was injured. The fire was under control by 12:09 a.m. Monday.
What Sparked the Fire? Self-Heating Textiles
Fire investigators say the fire was accidental. It likely started due to “self-heating of textiles” contaminated with oils like linseed, massage, or cooking oil—common on tea towels and tablecloths. These oils can cause materials to smoulder and ignite inside tumble dryers if heat can’t escape.
“When textiles are washed and put in tumble dryers, 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,” warned a London Fire Brigade spokesperson.
Safety Tips to Stop Laundrette Fires
- Always follow your dryer’s cooling cycle.
- Allow heat to escape before piling up fresh laundry.
- Be mindful of textiles contaminated with oils—wash thoroughly.
This blaze is a stark reminder of the fire risks in commercial laundry settings. Proper cleaning and drying routines are key to preventing disasters.
London Fire Brigade continues to treat the incident as accidental while investigations are ongoing.
