A man accidentally set fire to his own home after he was forced to resort to burning wood for heat due to spiralling energy costs.
The blaze broke out in New Malden, South London, on April 26 when the man opted for trying to keep himself warm with an open fire.
London Fire Brigade were called to the property at 8:30am after the fire spread throughout the property, My London reported.
Now, firemen have issued a warning amid worries the cost-of-living crisis may force more people to turn to alternative ways to heat their houses.
The house suffered “significant damage” and three people were treated by paramedics at the scene, with one man taken to hospital.
An eyewitness said they saw the man trying to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher.
Another neighbour said: “You could not see [anything] as the smoke was so thick. It was just unbelievable.
“I shut all my windows and whenever I opened the door to let someone in some smoke came into the hallway.”
She added that people taking their children to school were seen getting off buses and travelling by foot on Kingston Road due to the blanket of smoke.
A next-door neighbour has temporarily moved out of her house due to minor smoke and water damage to their property, the neighbour said.
A policeman, who happened to be passing at the time, began knocking on the window of neighbouring properties to make sure everyone got out.
It is understood that the fire was caused by combustible items were too close to the open flame.
The terrifying incident prompted the fire service to issue an urgent warning.
The London Fire Brigade revealed there have been over 100 fires involving open flames, log burners, and heaters in the last few months alone.
The service now fears that a rise in energy bills could see a surge in these types of fires as people are forced to turn to desperate measures to stay warm.
Deputy assistant commissioner for fire safety Charlie Pugsley said: “We know this is a difficult time and people are thinking about ways to reduce their energy bills, but we’re really concerned that they may be putting lives at risk by doing so.
“If you do have a log burner or an open fire, follow our advice carefully. Almost 30% of fires involving log burners, heaters and traditional open fires are caused by items being placed too close to a heat source.
“Always use a fire guard and keep anything that could catch alight well away, such as logs and kindling which could be ignited by radiating heat.
“It’s also important to make sure you have carbon monoxide alarms in your home. You can’t taste, see or smell carbon monoxide fumes, but it can kill in minutes.
“Please don’t take the risk by using treated wood on fires. Not only can they produce toxic fumes, but they are also more likely to spit embers when burnt, which could set alight to nearby objects.”
Adam Scorer, chief executive of fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA), described the incident as a “harsh and dangerous reality of the cost-of-living crisis”.
“One in four UK households are now in fuel poverty, which means millions are facing impossible choices because of their high energy bills,” he said.
“Some are choosing between heating and eating, others are self disconnecting completely and some are even starting open fires.
“These aren’t coping strategies. It’s people who feel they have no safe choice to make. Sadly, it will only become more common as the impact of the price rises and the reality of next winter hits home.
“The Government has to get its priorities right. Government has to get money in the pockets and off the energy bills of those on lowest incomes.”
Last year, the Government brought in new laws surrounding fire safety with an aim to make homes and buildings safer following the fatal Grenfell Tower blaze in 2017.
A Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the pressures people are facing with the cost of living, which is why we have set out a £22 billion package of support, including rebates and energy bill reductions.
“Anyone struggling to pay their energy bills should contact their supplier as soon as possible to work out an affordable payment plan, which suppliers are legally obliged to agree to.”
