London
Fire Brigade (LFB) has published figures[1] showing a startling rise
in smoking-related fires in the capital since the start of the UK
lockdown. The 20%
increase in fires
comes despite the recently reported fall in smokers, with 1 million
people in the UK kicking the habit during the pandemic.
Smoking
remains one of the leading causes of fires, with hundreds of fires
around the country caused by discarded cigarettes each year. In
November 2019, The
Cube in Bolton was devastated by a fire [2]
now concluded to have been started by a discarded cigarette on a
combustible balcony. This is, sadly, a staggeringly common occurrence
with a litany of balcony fires caused by smoking materials the length
and breadth of the country.
LFB
report in their latest figures that smoking materials caused over 500
fires during the lockdown period. Most notable was a blaze in a block
of flats in Kennington
in June started by a discarded cigarette from a higher floor igniting
a first-floor balcony. Whilst the flat was destroyed, all residents
fortunately were able to evacuate although 18 adults and children
required treatment by ambulance crews.
Richard
Izzard, Managing Director of non-combustible aluminium
decking manufacturers
AliDeck,
said “We are seeing balcony fires all around the UK with worrying
regularity, most of which have been started either by the use of
barbecues or carelessly discarded cigarettes. With more people
staying indoors or working from home during the Covid lockdown, it’s
no surprise to see a rise in the figures but simple steps to remove
and replace combustible materials would solve the issue at a stroke.”
Short
of an apparently very unlikely behavioural change in smokers, the
only way to reduce the risk of fires on balconies being caused by
discarded cigarettes is for all
combustible materials to be removed and replaced with non-combustible
options,
such as aluminium decking which is A-Rated for fire-safety. Removing
combustible materials such as timber or composite balcony decking
will immediately result in safer buildings and help to protect lives
and property.
To
discuss your timber or composite decking replacement options, call
the AliDeck team on 01622 534078 or email info@alideck.co.uk.
