Firefighters are warning smokers to dispose of smoking materials, like cigarettes, carefully after a maisonette fire on The Broadway in Hornchurch yesterday.
Part of the second floor of a split-level maisonette was damaged by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “If you’re a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home, but also cost you your life.
“Firefighters recommend that you have a look at our online Home Fire Safety Checker to make sure there are no hidden hazards in your home.
“The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
The Brigade was called at 1032 and the fire was under control by 1155. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Wennington, Ilford and Dagenham fire stations attended the scene.