Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters raced to East London as a fire broke out at a Travelodge hotel next to Hackney Central train station. Two rooms at the Travelodge Hotel on Amhurst Road were visibly affected. The building was safely evacuated on Sunday, June 28, with no injuries reported, according to the London Fire Brigade.
Cause of fire: unsafe use of incense sticks
The London Fire Brigade believes the fire was caused by the 'unsafe use' of incense sticks. A spokesperson said: "Incense sticks, candles and oil burners are one of the most common causes of fire within homes. It’s really important that you never leave these items unattended. Make sure you place incense sticks in a suitable, fire-resistant holder and keep them away from curtains and anything else that can easily catch fire. Remember to put them out entirely when you leave the room and especially before bed."
Response and control
The brigade received around 14 calls about the fire just before 5pm Sunday. Officers from Homerton, Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, Islington and surrounding fire stations rushed to the scene. A 32-metre turntable ladder from Tottenham Fire Station was deployed for a higher vantage point. By 6:20pm, the fire was brought under control. MyLondon reached out to Travelodge but they declined to comment.
