The London Fire Brigade believe that smoking was the cause of a care home fire in Southall which left a man in hospital. 

At 3.41am on Monday 15th May, six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to a fire in Osterley Park and one man had to be rescued from the building wearing a breathing apparatus and was taken to hospital as he was suffering from smoke inhalation. 

After investigating the fire, the London Fire Brigade announced on 16th May that they believe the fire was caused by the unsafe use of smoking materials. 

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you smoke, it's important to ensure your cigarette is disposed of carefully by stubbing it out, preferably in an ash tray.  

"If you smoke before bed, make sure your cigarette is fully out and never leave your lit cigarette unattended. Carelessly discarded cigarettes can easily start fires." 

The Brigade also issued a list of advice for people to help ensure that cigarettes don't cause fires like this one:  have smoke alarms fitted in every room you regularly use in your home, never smoke in bed, stub out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully, keep matches and lighters out of children's reach, never leave lit cigarettes or cigars unattended, empty ashtrays carefully, ensuring all smoking materials are stubbed out and cold, and smoke outdoors.