How to deal with a fire in your building

London Fire Brigade has given specific advice about what to do if there is a fire in another flat or maisonette in the building you live in. Further advice can be found on the London Fire Brigade website.

The best way to stay safe is to have a plan about what you will do if there is a fire in your home or building. London Fire Brigade's advice is to share this plan with everyone who lives in your home or comes to stay with you.

If there is a fire in your building then follow the following steps:

1. Don't panic

Your building has a number of fire safety precautions built in to it to help keep you safe. If you discover a fire in your building, remain calm and you are more likely to stay safe.

2. If you can get out of your building safely then get out

• Do not stop to investigate the fire or to collect valuables or pets.
• Do not try to fight the fire yourself
• Use your escape route to get everyone out and meet at an agreed point. 
• Close any doors or windows which are open, and only open the doors you need to go through. This will help to stop the fire spreading so rapidly. 
• Check doors with the back or your hand. If a door is warm, don’t open it, the fire is on the other side. 
• If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor as the air is cleaner.
• If you live in a building with a lift, do not use the lift. If there is a fire go down the stairs instead.
• Once you’ve got everyone out of the building, call 999 from any phone. Give the operator your name and address.
• Don’t go back into the building for anything - or anyone. If there is still someone inside, tell firefighters when they arrive – they will be able to find the person quicker and more safely than you. 
• Find somewhere safe to wait for the Fire Brigade. When they arrive, try to give them as much information as possible about the fire and building.

3. If you are not able to get out of your building safely

If you are not able to get out of your building safety - eg if the fire or smoke is between your flat the stairs - and the fire is not in your flat, then stay in your flat and follow the following advice. Remember your flat is designed to protect you from fire for long enough to allow the fire brigade to rescue you.

• Close the windows and doors in your flat
• Get everyone into one room, preferably one with a window that opens and that has a phone in it. Close the door and wait to be rescued.
• Put bedding or towels along the bottom of the door to seal the gap, to prevent smoke and fumes from getting into the room.
• If smoke or burning material is not coming past your window, open the window and stay near it for fresh air, and to alert firefighters when they arrive.
• If you have a phone, call the fire brigade. If you don’t have a phone, shout for help so that someone else can phone for you.

• Flats and maisonettes are built to give you some protection from fire. Your Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for some time. This should help give the Fire Brigade time to rescue you..
• If there's a fire elsewhere in the building you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.
• If there is a fire in your flat, leave the building closing the door to your flat behind you.
• If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air will be clearer.
• If you live in a building with a lift, do not use it if there is a fire, go down the stairs instead.
• Call 999 from any phone.
• Give them the address including the number of your flat, and tell them which floor the fire is on.

 

If you have any other questions about fire safety for your block please contact the JMB office.