The raging fire at a block of flats in Feltham which saw 100 people evacuated and a flat badly damaged was caused by the improper disposal of a cigarette.
A stark warning from firefighters urged smokers to be more ‘careful’ when stamping out their cigarettes after flames broke out in a flat above the Asda supermarket on Tilley Road in Feltham on Wednesday (June 29) morning at 9.20am.
Around 35 firefighters tackled the blaze and had the fire under control in an hour, then spent several hours damping down at the scene and video taken by Twitter user @halimajkhan shows just how ferocious the flames were.
The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental and as a result of cigarette embers igniting items on the balcony.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Incidents like this show just how important it is to dispose of cigarettes properly.
“It’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it.
“If you don’t, you risk causing a fire that could destroy not only your home, but also your life.”
The fire which was described as ‘incredibly fierce’ badly damaged a five-room flat on the third floor.
At least three people were treated by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service including one woman wearing a breathing apparatus who was taken to safety through an internal staircase by fire crews.
Here is a recap of how the sequence of events unfolded and its rippling effect on town centre operations that day.
