A candle sparked a flat fire in Royal Oak. Three residents safely escaped. Firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly.
The fire occurred on Westbourne Park Road. Three people escaped the burning flat, and the fire damaged most of the four rooms.
The London Fire Brigade received the first call at 8:15 pm. Fifteen calls came in total, so six fire engines responded quickly, bringing around 40 firefighters to help.
Firefighters used a tall, 32-meter ladder to observe and fight the fire better from above.
Crews came from various fire stations, including Paddington, Kensington, and West Hampstead. They extinguished the fire by 10 pm.
No injuries were reported at the scene, according to the London Fire Brigade, meaning everyone got out safely.
The fire started because of the “unsafe use” of a candle. Firefighters said candles often cause fires.
The Fire Brigade recommends safe candle use. Never leave a lit candle alone, they advised, and keep candles away from flammable stuff.
Consider using LED candles instead, as they are battery-powered and safe. You can even fall asleep with them on.
If using regular candles, use a proper holder and place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from things that burn. Blow them out before bed.