Firefighters Race to Tackle Early-Morning Laundrette Blaze in Sidcup
Flames Rip Through Sidcup Laundrette
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters blitzed a laundrette fire on Main Road, Sidcup, in the dead of night yesterday. The blaze damaged part of the ground floor of a mid-terraced laundrette that has flats above. Eleven neighbours evacuated before fire crews arrived, but thankfully no one was hurt.
Cause: Self-Heating Laundry Sparks Fire
Passers-by spotted smoke streaming from the shop front and alerted authorities. london-fire.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="London Fire Brigade" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">London Fire Brigade investigators believe the fire started from self-heating laundry that had been taken out of a dryer before closing time.
A Fire Brigade spokesperson warned: “These fires often happen due to textiles contaminated with oils like linseed, massage, or cooking oils found on tea towels, tablecloths, and chef whites. Always check the manufacturer’s cleaning advice on your items before washing.”
How To Avoid a Tumble Dryer Timebomb
“When tumble drying oily materials, heat can get trapped, causing temperatures to soar and ignite smouldering fabrics,” the spokesperson added. “Always use the dryer’s cooling cycle and let clothes cool properly before piling them up.”
Swift Response Cuts Fire Short
The Brigade got the call at 12:48 am and had the fire under control by 1:38 am. Firefighters from Sidcup, Eltham, and Lee Green stations battled the flames through the early hours, preventing further damage.
