Fire chiefs are calling on the public to be vigilant for the signs of people living in properties unsuitable for use as accommodation – including so-called “beds in sheds”.
In the last three years, London Fire Brigade figures show there have been 235 fires in buildings unsuitable for human habitation where people have appeared to be living.
These blazes have led to four deaths and 45 serious injuries, but fire chiefs are particularly concerned by the growth in ad-hoc “back garden developments” where sheds and garages are rented out as accommodation.
There have been 16 recorded fires since 2009 in the capital with the unsuitable conditions leading to three fire deaths and seven serious injuries in incidents involving buildings that fit the description of “beds in sheds”.
Last week, London Fire Brigade called on people ‘to be vigilant and to inform their local council housing team or London Fire Brigade if they see signs that disreputable landlords are trying to profit from people living in dodgy developments that are clearly not meant to be inhabited.’
Among the signs that people should look at for are:
On the same day that the Brigade issued this warning, a fire in a South London outhouse being used as a bedsit left two men hospitalised.
Watch Manager Simon Chalk, who was at the scene said: “We acted really quickly to get the two unconscious men out of the severe fire. The outhouse was completely gutted and we made sure the fire didn’t spread further. The cause of the fire is now under investigation.”
Following the establishment of a new government task force to tackle the growing problem of “beds in sheds”, LFB has been appointed to provide professional advice in the capital to councils and other interested parties.
Chair of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s Strategy Committee Cllr Crada Onuegbu said: “The issue of “beds in sheds,” as well as people living in other unsuitable buildings, continues to be a concern, as unscrupulous landlords looking to make a quick buck put lives at risk in shoddy accommodation.
“These figures are a stark reminder that properties like these are potentially lethal fire traps. It’s inevitable that people living in them rely on far riskier ways of heating, cooking and lighting but unfortunately fire safety is not a priority for the landlords who illegally rent them out.
“It’s not only people living in this accommodation whose lives are being put in danger. There’s also an increased risk to our firefighters if they need to carry out life-saving rescues in buildings that are in a state of dereliction and that were never intended to be used as sleeping accommodation.”
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