UPDATE: London Fire Brigade has issued an urgent warning following a string of **four fires in just four days**, all linked to the same cause: **lighted candles**. With the festive season in full swing, authorities are stressing the importance of fire safety to prevent further incidents.
On **December 27, 2023**, at approximately **7:30 PM**, around **25 firefighters** rushed to a house on **Town Road, Edmonton**. A fire had rapidly spread from a bedroom to the first floor and roof, leaving one woman hospitalized. Fortunately, another woman and a child were able to escape unharmed.
This fire follows a similar incident just two days earlier on **Christmas Day** at a residence on **Princes Park Lane in Hayes**, where a candle ignited, damaging part of the first floor. Three people managed to evacuate safely from that fire.
Earlier on **Christmas Day**, firefighters were called to a flat fire on **Elmwood Road in Croydon** around **1 AM**, where bedding caught fire due to a candle. Fortunately, three residents escaped without injury from the fourth-floor blaze.
The alarming trend began on **Christmas Eve** when around **40 firefighters** responded to a fire in a maisonette in **Peckham**. Two adults suffered smoke inhalation, highlighting the dangers posed by neglected candles. This incident generated an astonishing **12 emergency calls**.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, **Richard Arnold**, emphasizes the heightened risk during the festive season. He stated,
“Fires can cause devastation all year round, but this is heightened around Christmas with families potentially left homeless and possessions destroyed.”
Arnold urges Londoners to take every precaution to ensure fire safety. He advises keeping candles away from Christmas decorations and suggests considering battery-powered, flameless LED candles as safer alternatives. Although initially more costly, they provide lasting safety and value.
For those opting for traditional candles, Arnold recommends placing them in heat-resistant holders, on stable surfaces, and away from combustible materials. He stresses never leaving them unattended, especially around children and pets, and ensuring they are properly extinguished before bedtime.
As families celebrate the season, the London Fire Brigade encourages everyone to conduct simple fire safety checks at home. The Brigade’s online Home Fire Safety Checker offers tailored advice to help reduce fire risks.
Stay safe this holiday season and share this critical information to keep loved ones informed.
