Fire Breaks Out in North London Maisonette but No Injuries Reported
A blaze broke out in a small part of a three-room, split-level maisonette on the fifth floor of a five-story block in North London. Despite the drama, no one was hurt.
Quick Evacuation and Fast Response
About 30 residents evacuated before the firefighters arrived. The London Fire Brigade was called at 9.07pm and got the flames under control by 9.47pm. Crews from Islington, Shoreditch, Euston, and surrounding areas rushed to the scene.
Blaze Likely Caused by Self-Heating Textiles
The fire is believed to have started accidentally due to self-heating textiles. A Fire Brigade spokesperson explained:
“These fires often involve textiles contaminated with oils like linseed, massage, or cooking oil—found on tea towels, tablecloths, and chef whites.”
They added that heat can build up when such items are tumble dried on hot cycles, then folded and stacked without proper cooling. This smouldering heat can trigger fires.
Safety Tips to Prevent Textile Fires
“Always use the cooling cycle on your tumble dryer,” the spokesperson urged. “This lets heat dissipate before you stack laundered items together.”
Follow this simple advice to avoid fiery surprises in your own home.
