Cigarette spark starts house fire in Clapham Junction

The London Fire Brigade has reminded smokers of the lethal consequences to unextinguished cigarettes following a house fire in Clapham Junction.

Six fire engines were called to a mid-terraced house on Dorothy Road at 6.55pm on Tuesday (August 9) after its occupier failed to stub out their smoking materials.

More than two hours later, at 9pm, the roughly 40 firefighters from Battersea, Clapham, Chelsea, Wandsworth and surrounding fire stations had the blaze under control.

A lean-to on the ground floor was destroyed, and part of the first floor and the loft were damaged.

There were no reports of any injuries, however the Brigade has issued a stern reminder that fires caused by smoking materials kill more people than any other type of fire.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Fires caused by smoking materials including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipes, result in more deaths than any other type of fire.

"Never leave lit cigarettes unattended and make sure to stub them out properly and dispose of them carefully when you have finished smoking. If you don't, you risk causing a fire, which could not only destroy your home, but also put lives at risk."

Firefighters' smoking safety tips

• Use proper ashtrays, which can't tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
• Don't leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.
• It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
• Don't balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire.
• Take extra care when you're tired, taking prescription drugs or if you've been drinking alcohol.
• Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.