London Fire Brigade

Last month, London firefighters were honoured at in the first garden party of the year held for frontline workers at Buckingham Palace to thank them for their service and charitable endeavours.

Among them was Leading Firefighter Steve Ladley, who was invited following his incredible rescue of a woman who he caught from a ladder, one-handed as she fell from the roof of house.

Steve said: “I was genuinely honoured, and somewhat surprised, to be invited to this event. I have made my whole family proud. My children gave me strictest instructions to get a selfie with the King, while this was not possible, I was really pleased I could take my little sister Sarah with me."

Other guests invited to the Palace included Station Commander Ian Simpson, the Brigade's UK-ISAR coordinator, who was deployed to Mozambique to help rescue people who were hit by devastating floods at the start of the year.

Ian said: “Given the large team of outstanding professionals that were deployed to Mozambique, the odds of being invite to something like this seemed quite remote. This makes the invitation even more special.

“My wife came to the event too. This was an important gesture since it is an acknowledgement not just for the work we do, but a thank you to those who stay behind and support us. This kind of deployment means time away from home - the impact on families is not always visible or recognised.”

Station Officer Lee Newman was deployed to Turkey following the earthquake there in 2023, Lee said: “To be recognised by Buckingham Palace for humanitarian work is incredibly humbling. This work always appealed to me. It’s the chance to fly to an international disaster and help the host nation in their time of need."

Firefighters Leoni Munslow and Katie Holloway campaigned for improved maternity support at the Brigade, leading to significant positive change for both women and parents, providing better provision for both current staff and future employees.

Leoni said: “Receiving the invite was a big surprise and it felt special to be invited. I'm proud to have attended with Katie as we’ve worked closely and achieved so much together.”

In addition, Firefighter Steve Moore from Edmonton fire station has completed several ultra running challenges, raising funds for charity. “I am a bit bemused, and slightly embarrassed, to receive such recognition. It was a wonderful experience. I was thrilled to take my wife Donna and meet Prince William and Princess Kate.”

Each summer the Sovereign honours members of the public for the positive impact they have made on their community.

The parties recognise the dedication and contribution of those who serve their communities through volunteering, supporting charitable causes and working for emergency services.

A huge well done to all that were honoured.

We attended over 2,000 incidents this Bank Holiday weekend 🥵

This weekend we've been busy busting BBQ fires and dousing grass fires with Control taking 3,600 calls.
This included:

10 fire engines called a converted house alight in Thornton Heath

50 calls to a fire at a mixed-use building requiring eight fire engines in Lower Clapton
8 fire engines to a fire near a railway line in Hackney
8 fire engines to a house fire in Tolworth

With the hot weather set to continue, we urge you to take caution this half-term week.

We attended over 2,000 incidents this Bank Holiday weekend 🥵

This weekend we've been busy busting BBQ fires and dousing grass fires with Control taking 3,600 calls.

This included:
10 fire engines called a converted house alight in Thornton Heath
50 calls to a fire at a mixed-use building requiring eight fire engines in Lower Clapton
8 fire engines to a fire near a railway line in Hackney
8 fire engines to a house fire in Tolworth

With the hot weather set to continue, we urge you to take caution this half-term week.

📢 As we welcome everyone to the parks to enjoy the warmer weather this weekend, we want to offer a reminder around the increased risk of wildfires due to these higher temperatures and dry ground.

❌ Please remember that BBQs are not permitted in the parks, and make sure that cigarette ends are completely out and properly disposed of.

🔥 Fires in the parks put people in danger, cause devastating harm to wildlife, damage to landscapes and habitats, and a strain on the emergency services.

🚒 If you do spot a fire in the park then use what3words to give an exact location to London Fire Brigade.

🚮 Visitors are also reminded to take litter home or place it in bins as glass bottles increase the risk of a fire.

🏊 Finally, although you may be looking for ways to keep cool, swimming in any lake or waterbody within the Royal Parks is forbidden apart from in the Serpentine Lido at designated times.

🙌 Your cooperation helps us keep the parks safe for all to enjoy.

Last weekend, East Greenwich White Watch opened its doors for a very special event for Primary School children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, the first of its kind in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

As the parent of a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Sub Officer Sean Oakley wanted to create an event that his 6 year old son, who is nonverbal and has ASD, would be able to enjoy, without the challenges of large crowds and loud noise at a typical Open Day.

The event was a huge success, with over 200 members of the SEND community able to attend.

There were several activities, such as a bouncy castle, sand pit, balance beam, and hose reels, which had been charged from the hydrant to keep the noise down.

A sensory room and messy play area were created, including playdough and painting stations, as well as 5 quiet rooms for visitors to use if they were required, giving families a designated calm space in challenging moments.

Sub Officer Sean said, "There are so many SEND children in our community that also struggle to attend these events, that go through the exact same thing that I do.

"The event gave these families the opportunity to visit the Fire Station knowing that the needs of their children had been considered. A huge thank you to all at East Greenwich White Watch for their hard work, and to our Senior Officers who supported us throughout the planning of this event.

"A special thank you must go out to the Education Team who were brilliant interacting with the children, teaching them about Fire Safety and handing out goodies for them to enjoy, and a final thank you to Station Officer Daniel Foster who allowed us to borrow equipment from the stock of resources at Croydon Fire Station."

Members of Greenwich Councils Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Services Team attended, providing information regarding several different subjects, such as Educational Health Care Plans, Disability Living Allowance and more.

A huge well done to Sean, East Greenwich White Watch and all who helped at the station, the Education Team, partner agencies and all who helped to make this such a successful and welcoming event.

We can't wait for the next one!

A statement from London Fire Commissioner, Jonathan Smith, on the first anniversary of the tragic fire in Bicester where three people, including London Firefighter Martyn Sadler, sadly died.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we're spotlighting the brilliant work of Walk & Talk 999.

Founded in 2021, Walk & Talk 999 began with the simple idea of bringing men together to walk, talk and support each other’s mental health.

After founder Dean Corney attended a community men's walking group, he saw the positive impact it had and decided to start a similar walk for men within the Emergency and Military Services.

The dedicated walk leaders volunteer their time every week to hold these safe spaces. They are there to listen, support, and if needed, point people towards further help and services.

There is also the new addition of a Mums' Walk and Coffee held at 12.30pm on Mondays at Norman Park, Bromley, for Mums and Mums-to-be within the Emergency Services.

If you are interested in joining a walk or learning more about setting up a group in your area, please visit ⁠https://walkandtalk999.pulse.ly/biuctdokdv to find further information.

Our first Deliveroo x LFB Roadshow for 2026! 👏

After a successful series of Rider Roadshows in 2025, we started off this year's rider engagement with an event outside Ealing Town Hall with our partners, Deliveroo and Ealing Council.

Firefighters from Ealing and Acton handed out leaflets and gave key e-bike and e-scooter safety messaging to over 600 riders who came through.

Working with Deliveroo and the food-delivery sector is vital to our campaign, as we see many riders using e-bikes and e-scooters. Attending these events gives us an opportunity to talk with them and give them information on buying, storing and charging their vehicles as safely as possible.

Thank you to Deliveroo Riders UK for having us!

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Station Officer Lee Phillips and Firefighter Oliver Mayo competed in FireFit Championships Europe in Lens, Belgium.

The event brings together firefighters from across Europe to compete in a fitness competition with all elements centred around firefighter fitness, such as, carrying hose upstairs, hauling aloft and casualty dummy drags.

Lee and Oliver were part of a large UK team with firefighters from Royal Berkshire, Hampshire and Isle of White, Gloucestershire and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services.

They won silver in their individual age categories, silver together in the tandem event and gold in the team-relay event with firefighters from Royal Berkshire and Hampshire and Isle of White.

A huge well done to Lee, Oliver and their team mates, and all who took part. We can't wait to see what they do at the next challenge!

A huge win for our very own Charlie Beatt! 👏

LFB Boxing Club coach and firefighter Charlie scooped the Supporting Young Londoners Award at the 2026 London Sport Awards last week.

The Awards were hosted at Guildhall, with Olympian and Gladiators star Montell Douglas hosting, and a fantastic audience of influential and inspiring guests.

Charlie was presented his award by content creator Jamie Shawyer (LDNMovements), where he was recognised for his hard work and impact on young people through his boxing sessions.

Charlie's community boxing initiative runs across South London, where over 300 young people have participated in the 10-week programme, honing skills of discipline, confidence and focus, positive role modelling and regular exercise.

We want to say a huge well done to Charlie for this well-deserved award and his continuous efforts to supporting young people, and thank you to London Sport Awards.

Another important reminder about e-bike and e-scooter safety 🚨

Our Control Officers were called about a fire in Perivale at 0011 this morning. They mobilised four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Ealing, Wembley and Northolt Fire Stations.

Half of a flat on the first floor of a four storey block of flats was damaged by fire. The front door of the flat and the communal landing were also completely destroyed by the blaze, believed to have been started by the failure of a lithium battery on an e-scooter.

The residents were thankfully alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, allowing two adults and two children to leave the building before firefighters arrived.

A further two adults from a neighbouring flat evacuated their property and made their way onto the scaffolding, where they were led to safety by crews. The incident was over by 0159.

Four adults and two children were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service NHS Trust for smoke inhalation.

This incident highlights why it is vital to ensure your escape route is clear and to never store your e-bike or e-scooter near your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door.

We recommend keeping e-bikes and e-scooters in a room where you can shut a door, contain the fire and call 999.

This incident also highlights the importance of working smoke alarms and heat detection.

In this instance, the smoke alarms gave the warning that a fire had started and allowed the residents to evacuate.

Take a moment today to test your smoke alarms, and ensure you have one fitted in every room where a fire can start, except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.

You can find our advice on buying, charging and storing e-bikes and e-scooters safely here: https://london-fire.pulse.ly/waxxf2sgid

600 miles cycled in 6 days in loving memory of their friend ❤️

James Cameron, Tom Millward and Mark Nimmo, with Toby Dadswell driving their support vehicle, set out on a 600 mile cycle challenge from London to Inverness to honour their friend, George Cherry.

Leaving from Bromley Fire Station, they cycled to Inverness Castle in Scotland, then completed the 66 mile-long circumference of Loch Ness.

The fantastic foursome have raised over £12,000 in George's honour, with George's family choosing for proceeds to go to Fire Fighters Charity for the brilliant work they do helping firefighters and their families up and down the country.

George was part of three generations of firefighters from the Brigade and served for an amazing 28 years.

His last station was Bromley, where he served on the Green Watch, and his colleagues said, "He could make you laugh within seconds of meeting him and always brightened up your day".

George tragically passed away the weekend before the challenge, and the group decided to continue on in his memory and pay tribute to his strength and bravery both in his career and throughout his time living with cancer.

We want to say a huge well done to James, Tom, Mark and Toby, and send our condolences and thoughts to them, and George's family, friends and colleagues.

If you'd like to donate: https://justgiving.pulse.ly/ueses5noqz

This Firefighters' Memorial Day, we remember all of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Today we marked the occasion at the National Firefighters Memorial, outside St Paul's Cathedral, with firefighters, other LFB colleagues, the Retired Members Association, Fire Brigades Union, Firefighters Memorial Trust, clergy and members of the public.

Staff from across the Brigade also joined a minute's silence to pay their respects.

We remember them, and we thank them for their service.

London Fire Brigade would like to wish the Jewish community a safe and meaningful Lag B’Omer celebration.

We want to make sure you are looking after yourself and those around you so please take extra care with your bonfire by following these simple fire safety tips.

Make sure to build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges and don’t build them on public highways.

Use firelighters instead of flammable liquids to start a bonfire and keep your fires small – we recommend under three metres tall. Be careful not to burn dangerous items such as batteries, aerosol cans and bottles.

Don’t leave your bonfire unattended and keep children and pets a safe distance away and always keep a bucket of water or a connected hosepipe nearby in case of fire.

The Brigade is here to keep you safe and our fire stations are always open for the local community to visit and find out more about our services.

We recognise that it has been an extremely challenging time for Jewish communities in London. We have engaged closely with faith leaders and key figures across the community as well as visited schools and synagogues, providing reassurance where we can along with fire safety advice and support.

A (London) Marathon effort! 👏

20 LFB runners joined the iconic London Marathon on Sunday, with nearly 60,000 other runners, to take on the 26.2 mile course.

Our runners raised money for Fire Fighters Charity, Cancer Reseach UK, the 4ED (MND) Foundation; the Movember men’s health charity; and a number of local causes such as the 219 Air Cadets Squadron (Sutton and Cheam) and Chailey House residential care service for children.

We also had 60 fantastic volunteers at our water station and cheer point, situated on Poplar High Street, hydrating and encouraging those heading for the final stretch at mile 20.

Deptford, East Greenwich, Millwall and Dowgate Fire Stations were also on-hand to give support, hosting mini-open days along the route.

Station Officer Dan Ascough was inspired by retired London firefighter John Chart's positivity and strength living with motor neurone disease, so took to the course pushing John in the same wheelchair used by legendary rugby league star and MND campaigner Rob Burrow. The pair were raising money for the 4ED Foundation and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Dan said: “It was a test of endurance but John doesn't get a break from his MND, so I was sure I could endure running for a few long hours. I was so proud, honoured and privileged to cross the finish line with John and complete this marathon journey with him."

Leading Firefighter Steve Behan took on the marathon in his PPE and BA, and kept it on to run under air for 26.2 miles all in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity.

Steve said: “It wasn't a ‘fun run’. Crossing the line in just over 7 hours, I was met by my Soho fire station colleagues which was a really nice touch. I would just like to say a massive thank you to all my support team who spent the day following me around the course to make sure everything ran smoothly. And last but not least Firefighter Katie Drewett, who was running the marathon for the first time and selflessly ran side by side with me for the duration of the 26.2 miles.”

Firefighter Hannah Weatherley also ran in her full fire service kit for the Fire Fighters Charity raising nearly £3,000, and Leading Firefighter Jack Willison ran as part of his 40th birthday bucket list.

On completing it, Jack said: “The experience was amazing. The amount of people supporting from the sidelines really helped from start to finish. I completed it in 4hrs 5 mins which I was pleased with. Thanks to everyone who donated, I’ve raised £1,245.”

There’s a story behind every marathon attempt and these are just a few from our brilliant runners, but we are so proud of everyone who went out there and pushed themselves to the limit for a great cause, to reach a goal or just to say they did it!

A huge well done to all and a big thank you to our volunteers, crews, wider staff, Events team, Fire Cadets and all who ensured we were able to provide support on this special day for London.

We brought our campaign to the home of Tottenham Hotspur to raise awareness about the fire risks with e-bikes and e-scooters with supporters.

Tottenham Red Watch, led by Station Officer Chris Cooper, spoke to matchgoers and handed out safety leaflets ahead of Spurs’ recent Premier League fixture at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Last year, there was a record number of e-bike and e-scooter fires in London, including a fire in Wood Green that sadly claimed the life of a 30-year-old woman.

Tottenham Station Commander Peter Campbell said:“Our campaign is not just aimed at those who already own an e-bike or an e-scooter. We also want to reach people who may buy one in the future and events like these, which attract thousands of people, are a great way to speak to lots of people.

“E-bike and e-scooter fires and an issue right across London, but particularly poignant for us here in Tottenham following last year’s fire in Wood Green. I’d like to thank Tottenham Hotspur Football Club for allowing us to bring our campaign to their home, giving firefighters the chance to deliver potentially life-saving advice.

"We encourage anyone who owns an e-bike or e-scooter, or is thinking about purchasing one, to take a look at our website for advice on how to store and charge e-bikes and e-scooters, to help keep yourself and those around you safer from these types of fires."

We collect a huge amount of incident data, and with a third of the year gone already (!), we thought we'd share just some of the statistics from 2026 so far.

Would you like to see more data posts from us?

Happy St. George's Day!

“Once again, the day was a brilliant celebration of community and teamwork. The response from the public and colleagues shows just how special this event is becoming, and we hope it continues as a firm favourite in the LFB calendar.”

This year's St George’s Day Celebration, held at Dockhead Fire Station on Saturday 18th April, was a great success, building on the achievements of last year’s inaugural event.

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith opened the day, which featured Morris dancers, Pearly Kings and Queens, Jon Campling as St. George, music, history, lots of family fun and much more.

The event had over 1,500 visitors and raised an amazing £2,200 for and .

The Open Day is a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with the community, working with a wide range of groups, partner organisations, and family friendly activities on site. There was something for everyone, with a real focus on inclusivity and accessibility.

This was all made possible by the dedicated St George's Day Working Group, Frankie Birch, Barbara Field, Helen Rea, Matthew Meech, Grant Basey and Charlie Fournier, alongside volunteers and colleagues from across the Brigade, and the sponsorship of the .

The brilliant teamwork and hard work from the Working Group, partners and wider staff across the Brigade really ensured it was a brilliant day for all.

We are warning smokers to take extra care as our latest data reveals that smoking-related fires rise 64% between April and September every year.

Our data has found that, over the past five years, between April and September, firefighters attend an average of 402 smoking-related fires a month, in comparison to 246 a month between October and March.

This spike is likely due to warmer weather and greater use of balconies for smoking.

Analysis of the data across 2021 to 2025 shows that from April to September, 236 smoking-related fires started on balconies and external structures, twice as many than during the colder months which recorded just 119 fires.

Injuries at smoking-related fires also increase 36% in the summer months, increasing from 22 to 30 fires a month. Smoking remains one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths.

Given the high seasonal risk, we are urging smokers, especially those with balconies, to take extra care when disposing of ci******es.

Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection Pam Oparaocha said: "These figures are a stark reminder that the risk of fire is greatly increased during the warmer months as people spend more time on their balconies.

“While we’d rather you didn’t smoke at all, if you are a smoker, it’s vital you make sure that your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it and disposed of responsibly. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life.

“A single careless act, such as a discarded cigarette, can have devastating consequences - threatening lives, destroying multiple homes and displacing families in a matter of minutes."

Find our full safety advice on smoking here: https://london-fire.pulse.ly/8sx2bvamtz

Beckenham Blue Watch recently honoured fallen firefighters in a special Blitz anniversary memorial service at St John’s Church in West Wickham.

As a tribute to the fallen firefighters, they renovated West Wickham graveyard and gravestones in the churchyard ahead of the remembrance service.

The event came about after a former Bromley firefighter, Thomas Webb, told his nephew Geoff Cowling about the Blitz and the devastating call out, where the fire engine Webb was following into London, was hit by a bomb on Plaistow Road. All five of his colleagues tragically lost their lives.

The former Bromley firefighter’s nephew, Geoff Cowling said: “Uncle Tom had been in the fire appliance immediately behind the five firemen when it received a direct hit, killing them all. On visiting the graveyard back in 1999, my uncle found it a very emotional experience.

"Standing at the graveside, my uncle said it was the closest he’d been to them since that fateful day. Undeniably, witnessing their deaths haunted Tom for the remainder of his life. They were first and foremost his mates.

“There is so much those brave firefighters have in common with today’s emergency services. As a society we should be grateful that, when faced with a situation where most of us are running away from danger, today's emergency services retain the ethos of those five fallen firefighters and are prepared to head in the opposite direction.”

On visiting the graveyard recently, Geoff approached Beckenham fire station to ask if they could help renovate it.

Station Commander Stuart West from Beckenham Fire Station, said: “It’s really important to pay tribute to the firefighters that have been before us, it’s only natural we wanted to mark this important anniversary. For Blue Watch and I to pay our respects to the brave firefighters, has been a real honour."

A huge well done to Beckenham Blue Watch, SC Stuart West and all involved for this poignant renovation project and service.

We are issuing another reminder about using e-bikes and e-scooters safely following a flat fire in Lewisham that resulted in a woman jumping from a balcony to escape.

Part of the hallway of the third-floor flat was damaged by fire. The woman was assisted by firefighters before being taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service to be treated as a result of her fall. A man was also led to safety from the flat by firefighters and treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

We were called at 1114 and Control Officers mobilised three fire engines and a fire rescue unit from Deptford, Old Kent Road, Peckham and Islington Fire Stations. The fire was extinguished by 1145.

The fire is believed to have been caused by the catastrophic failure of an e-bike battery that was being charged in the flat’s hallway. The battery is thought to have been on charge for around 12 hours.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Richard Field, said: “This incident highlights why you should always ensure your escape route is clear and why we recommend to never charge your e-bike or e-scooter on your means of escape, such as a hallway or by your front door.

“Although working smoke alarms helped alert the occupants quickly to this fire, a woman found herself trapped inside a bedroom with smoke travelling in. She decided to go out onto the balcony and jump to the ground, three storeys high. She has unfortunately sustained a quite serious injury due to the fall and we wish her well in her recovery.

“In London, we have been attending a fire, on average every other day involving an e-bike or e-scooter. Last year, we saw a record number of fires and this is why we urge those who own of these vehicles or are thinking about purchasing one to take a look at our advice to help keep themselves and those around them safe.”

To reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place, it is vital that people are using batteries that have been purchased from a reputable seller.

Items purchased online or second-hand, which don’t meet UK safety standards, are particularly prone to going up in flames.

Mismatching the charger also increases the risk of fire.

It's also important not to overcharge and to unplug the charger once it's completed charging. Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter unattended or whilst you're sleeping.

Converting a bike from a pushbike into an e-bike should also always be carried out by a professional or competent person.

Find our full advice on using, buying and charging e-bikes and e-scooters on our website here: https://london-fire.pulse.ly/ziyi1blvtb

Spring cleaning isn't just for the inside of your home! 🧹🏡

As the weather warms up, we want Londoners to get garden-ready to help prevent grass fires. Last year, wildfires in the capital doubled compared to 2023, so what can you do?

Create fire breaks: Clear strips of land by removing long grass and dry leaves to stop flames from spreading.
Clear the clutter: Don't let dry shrubs or garden waste pile up near fences or buildings.
Dispose of waste safely: Keep garden waste in secure piles and move it regularly.

Outer London boroughs like Havering, Bexley, Bromley, Hillingdon, and Enfield are at the highest risk. Let’s work together to protect our homes and our wildlife. 🌿🐾