Firefighters are reminding people to take extra care when using candles after a blaze broke out at a flat in Stanley Road, South Harrow on Tuesday (29 April).
Most of a first-floor flat was damaged in the fire, which is believed to have been started by an unattended candle used as part of a religious shrine. Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Candles are one of the most common causes of fire. It’s really important that you never leave a candle unattended and keep them away from anything else that can easily catch alight.”
Smoke alarms were fitted in the property, but they did not operate during the incident.
The spokesperson added: “This incident shows just how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of your home.
“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.”
The Brigade’s Control Officers received nine calls about the fire.
The first came in at 12:14pm, and four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Northolt, Harrow and Wembley stations were sent to the scene. The fire was under control by 1:32pm.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
