Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz has praised emergency services for their swift response to dealing with a fire in Ferrier Point, Forty Acre Lane, Canning Town, on Monday evening.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz has praised emergency services for their swift response to dealing with a fire in Ferrier Point, Forty Acre Lane, Canning Town, on Monday evening.
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters went to the block to deal with the fire in a 12th floor flat. Around 150 residents from 115 flats left the building before the Brigade arrived at 6.22pm. It was under control by 7.45pm.
Mayor Fiaz said: “I thank the London Fire Brigade for their swift arrival and life-saving efforts. I am thankful everyone is safe. Firefighters had everything under control very quickly. The cause will need to be investigated. Council officers were also at the scene quickly. We will continue to support the emergency services in any way we can, as well as any resident who needs our help. We’ll also look at our response to the incident and see if there are any lessons we can learn for the future.
Canning Town South ward councillor Rohit Dasgupta attended the scene. Deputy Mayor Councillor John Gray, Cabinet member for housing, was alerted to the incident.
The Fire Brigade's investigators believe the fire was caused by smoking materials. Station Commander Jim Smith, who was at the scene, said: "Fires caused by smoking materials including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipes, result in more deaths than any other type of fire. Stub cigarettes out properly and always dispose of them carefully. Make sure smoking materials are cold before emptying ashtrays. Preferably wet stubs before throwing them into a bin.”
The LFB’s smoking safety tips are:
- It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
- Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
- Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
- Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out 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.
- Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.
- 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.
- Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, and buy child resistant lighters.
- Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen or an air flow pressure relief mattress. If you use paraffin-based emollient creams, ask for non-flammable alternatives instead.
- Consider additional safety measures such as fire retardant bedding or nightwear.
Ferrier Point is a Newham Council-owned tower block. ACM cladding was removed and replaced by the Council last year.