The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued a stark safety alert to residents across the capital following a series of four destructive blazes over the Christmas period, all traced back to the same preventable cause.
A Dangerous Pattern of Festive Fires
Fire investigators have confirmed that lighted candles were the cause of all four incidents, which occurred in quick succession between Christmas Eve and 27 December. The spate of fires has left one home severely damaged and resulted in several people needing medical treatment or fleeing for their lives.
The most serious incident took place on Saturday, 27 December, just before 7:30pm in Town Road, Edmonton. Approximately 25 firefighters battled a blaze that had spread from a bedroom to the rest of the first floor and the roof. One woman was taken to hospital, while another woman and a child managed to escape the burning property.
Chronology of the Christmas Blazes
The sequence of fires began on Christmas Eve in Peckham, where six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a maisonette. Two adults were treated for smoke inhalation after a candle was left unattended, prompting 12 emergency calls from concerned members of the public.
In the early hours of Christmas Day itself, crews attended a flat fire on Elmwood Road in Croydon. Here, a candle ignited bedding, but thankfully three people escaped unhurt from the fourth-floor blaze. Later on Christmas Day, a house on Princes Park Lane in Hayes was damaged by another candle fire, with three people leaving the property unharmed.
Official Safety Plea from Fire Chiefs
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Arnold of the London Fire Brigade emphasised the heightened risk during the festive season. "Fires can cause devastation all year round, but this is heightened around Christmas with families potentially left homeless and possessions destroyed," he stated.
The Brigade's urgent safety advice includes:
- Keeping candles well away from Christmas decorations, trees, and any other combustible materials.
- Considering the use of safer, battery-powered flameless LED candles instead of traditional ones.
- Always placing traditional candles in a proper heat-resistant holder on a stable surface, never leaving them unattended, and ensuring they are fully extinguished before bed.
- Taking extra care if children or pets are present.
Arnold highlighted the value of LED alternatives: "Whilst they may cost more upfront than traditional candles, they will last considerably longer, giving you better value for money and, crucially, peace of mind."
The LFB is urging all Londoners to use its online Home Fire Safety Checker tool, which provides personalised guidance to reduce risks in individual homes. As New Year's Eve approaches, the message is clear: a moment's inattention can lead to a lifetime of regret, making simple precautions essential for a safe celebration.
