Larden Road House Fire Started by Cigarette
Fire Brigade issue safety advice on disposal of smoking materials
Left: the entrance to the Larden Road house. Right: A stubbed out cigarette. Picture: London Fire Brigade
September 21, 2025
Firefighters are urging residents to take extra care when disposing of smoking materials after a house fire on Larden Road in Acton caused significant damage to a loft conversion.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday 19 September, when crews were called to a mid-terraced property at 4:23am. Firefighters from Acton, Hammersmith, Chiswick and Ealing fire stations responded, bringing the blaze under control within an hour. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.
According to the London Fire Brigade, the fire is believed to have been accidental, sparked by a careless discarded cigarette. Approximately half of the loft conversion was damaged.
A spokesperson for the Brigade emphasised the importance of extinguishing cigarettes fully saying, “If you're a smoker, 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 which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life.”
The Brigade is encouraging residents to use its online Home Fire Safety Checker, a tool designed to identify potential fire risks in the home.
“The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
In light of the incident, firefighters have issued the following smoking safety advice:
- Always use sturdy ashtrays that cannot tip over, and ensure cigarettes are stubbed out properly.
- Never leave lit cigarettes unattended.
- Smoking outdoors is safer, but cigarettes must be extinguished fully and disposed of correctly.
- Avoid balancing cigarettes or cigars on the edge of ashtrays or other surfaces, as they can fall and ignite nearby materials.
- Be especially cautious when tired, under the influence of alcohol, or taking prescription medication.
- Empty ashtrays with care. Ensure contents are cold, ideally wet, before disposal—and never use a wastepaper basket.
The Brigade continues to stress that small changes in smoking habits can prevent devastating fires and save lives.
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