Firefighters urge smoking safety after high-rise fire in Hayes

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued a reminder about their smoking safety advice following a fire at a high rise building on Uxbridge Road in Hayes.

Crews extinguished a small exterior trash fire behind the nine-story building. A small portion of the building’s cladding was damaged by the heat.

The LFB said the fire was believed to be accidental and caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: “If you are smoking, it is vitally important that you remove it immediately, preferably in an ashtray.

“Always make sure the cigarette is completely extinguished when you are finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk starting a fire that could not only destroy your home, but also cost you your life. Firefighters recommend taking a look at our online 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 determine the level of risk in your home or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to receive personalized advice to protect you and your loved ones from fire.”

The brigade was called at 1.44am and the incident was over for firefighters at 4.00am Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters from Hillingdon, Northolt, Ealing and Feltham fire stations attended the scene.