People should not try to reduce their energy bills by improvising open fires at home, fire chiefs warned after a man in south-west London set fire to his property by burning wood in his living room to keep warm.
The man was trying to avoid heating in his home, investigators said.
Fighting poverty activists say the incident – one of at least 100 involving open fires, burners and heaters in the capital over the past few months – reveals “the harsh and dangerous reality of the cost of living crisis”.
Issuing an emergency safety warning, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the cause of the fire on April 26 was identified as “involving open fire used instead of gas central heating”.
It is also thought to have been caused by flammable objects too close to open fire. The London ambulance said it was treating three people at the New Malden property, with one person taken to hospital as a priority.
The LFB said there had been more than 100 fires in the past few months, including open flames, burners and heaters.
He fears an increase in energy bills could lead to a wave of fires as people resort to alternative means of heating their homes during the colder times of the year.
Charlie Pugsley, Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, said: “We know this is a difficult time and people are thinking of ways to reduce their energy bills, but we are really concerned that they could put their lives at risk by doing so. .
“If you have a burner or an open fire, follow our advice carefully. Almost 30% of fires, including log burners, heaters and traditional open fires, are caused by objects placed too close to a heat source. Always use fire protection and keep anything that can ignite away, such as logs and kindling, which can be ignited by heat. “
Adam Scorer, chief executive of the National Energy Action charity, described the incident as “the harsh and dangerous reality of the cost of living crisis.”
“One in four households in the UK is now in fuel poverty, which means millions face an impossible choice due to their high energy bills,” he said. “Some choose between heating and eating, others turn themselves off completely, and some even start an open fire. These are not coping strategies. These are people who feel they don’t have a safe choice. “
A government spokesman said: “We are aware of the pressure people are facing on the cost of living, which is why we have pledged a package of support of £ 22 billion, including discounts and reductions in energy bills.”
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