450 Evacuated After Candle Sparks Fire in Student Housing
Blaze Breaks Out on Eighth Floor
A fire damaged part of a room on the eighth floor of a student accommodation building. Around 450 people were rushed out to safety. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Unattended Candle to Blame
The fire is believed to have started from an unattended candle left burning. Station Officer Steve Duffy, who arrived at the scene, said:
“When we arrived, the building was smoke-logged, and hundreds of people were outside. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the room was rendered uninhabitable, and things could have been much worse.”
Firefighters Respond Quickly
The fire service received the call at 2.30am and had the blaze under control by 2.58am. Five fire engines and around 35 firefighters from Euston, Dowgate, Lambeth, Shoreditch, and Islington fire stations tackled the flames.
Expert Candle Safety Tips
Station Officer Duffy emphasised the dangers of open flames:
“Never leave candles unattended and keep them clear of anything flammable like curtains, furniture, or clothes. Most student housing bans candles altogether. We recommend using LED flameless candles instead. But if you must use real candles, follow simple safety measures.”
- Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Use heat-resistant holders and place candles on stable surfaces to avoid tipping.
- Keep candles away from curtains, clothing, hair, and furniture.
- Be cautious with tea lights; they get very hot and can melt surfaces like plastic TVs or baths if not properly secured.
