Firefighters were kept busy again yesterday, with house blazes in Thornton Heath and Kenley.
The cause of a fire yesterday in Thornton Heath is subject to a police investigation
In the case of one of the fires, it is believed to have started when the householders had domestic waste burning outside their home – on their wooden decking.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters fromPurley, Croydon and Addington were called to Woodhyrst Gardens in Kenley. The Brigade received the call at 1.31pm, and had the fire under control by 2.43pm.
Part of the ground floor and external fascia were damaged. There were no reported injuries.
Station Commander Richard Hamilton, who was at the scene, said: “The fire had spread from the decking into the house before crews arrived, but quick firefighting action prevented it spreading further.
“Burnt waste had been left on the wooden decking and caught light and spread to the house.
“If you are burning waste in your garden, you should do it well clear of buildings, garden sheds, hedges and decking and always keep a bucket of water or hosepipe nearby.
“You should also never leave it unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out and if it has to be left, dampen it with plenty of water.”
A separate incident, at a house in Headcorn PLace, needed six fire engines and about 40 firefighters.
The entire ground floor area of the house and part of the first floor was destroyed by the fire.
One woman left the property before the Brigade arrived and was attended to for the effects of smoke inhalation at the scene by London Ambulance crews. There were no other injuries reported.
The Brigade was called at 5.05pm and the fire was under control by 7.27pm. Crews from Croydon, West Norwood, Woodside and Mitcham fire stations attended.
The cause of the blaze is unknown. The fire is under investigation by the Brigade and Metropolitan Police.
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The mind boggles! They had a lucky escape. We mustn’t mock, but will you name the guilty manor woman?
As with your previous report on hiouse fires, the picture tells a story. My guess is that the other windows matched the last remaining one. Impossible to climb out of in a fire.
Thankfully, it seems that no one died, but smoke inhalation is often deadly.
When one factors in all the costs – the call on the NHS, the destruction to property of fire damage, the effect on the insurance industry, plus, in too many cases, the sadness of death and injury to ictims and families, and life time damage in some cases.
I think that national Building Regs should insist on at least one opening window per room.
Fire is no respecter of small buildings or large.
The lessons of Grenfell Tower tragedy need to be applied to all dwelllings.
I would like to know, what is the best thing to have in the house for fire accidents, we have smoke detectors, but us a fire extinguisher best to put maybe in the kitchen? Or a fire blanket?
The London Fire Brigade has an extensive safety advice section on its website, including for homeowners, here: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/