A house fire in Acton has prompted firefighters to issue a renewed warning about the dangers of careless smoking.
Crews were called to Larden Road at 4.23am on Friday (19 September 2025), after flames tore through half of the loft conversion in a mid-terraced property. Four fire engines from Acton, Hammersmith, Chiswick and Ealing attended, bringing the blaze under control by 5.18am. No one was injured.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire is believed to have been caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials. A spokesperson said: “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 people to use its online Home Fire Safety Checker, which asks a series of questions to help identify risks and provide tailored advice.
The spokesperson added: “It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
The LFB has also reminded smokers of key safety steps: always use proper ashtrays that cannot tip over, stub cigarettes out properly, and avoid leaving them unattended. It advised smokers to take extra care when tired, under the influence of alcohol, or on medication, and to ensure ashtrays are emptied safely.
