Fire fighters have issued a warning about the dangers of candles after a woman had a lucky escape from her flat which was nearly totally destroyed in a blaze.
Crews suspect a candle left unattended in an upstairs bedroom in a maisonette in Pitfield Street set clothes alight and quickly spread.
The woman was only alerted to the blaze when neighbours spotted smoke, called the Brigade and told her to get out.
Station Manager Paul Hobbs who was at the scene said “This lady had a lucky escape, I can’t stress how important it is to never leave candles unattended as they are one of the most common causes of household fires.
“Crews couldn’t find any evidence of a smoke alarm either and so it was very lucky that neighbours spotted the smoke and called the Brigade.
If neighbours hadn’t raised the alarm when they did, this could have been a very different story.”
The woman was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service.
Four fire engines and 21 fire fighters from as far afield as Islington, Soho, Paddington and Shadwell fire stations attended the incident on November 8.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here