An electrical fault in the electric underfloor heating system was said to have caused the fire in Primrose Hill
The terraced home caught fire in the morning but no injuries were reported(Image credit: Google Earth)
A fire in a four storey home was caused by an electrical fault in an electric underfloor heating system in London, according to the London Fire Brigade.
The fire in Primrose Hill, Camden Town, was dealt with quickly by over 25 firefighters and no injuries were reported. Four fire engines and 25 firefighters were called to the fire in an apartment on Rothwell Street.
The blaze partially damaged a ground-floor bathroom in the four-storey terraced house. No injuries were reported and the fire was brought under control within an hour.
Fire brigade say electric underfloor heating caused fire
The Fire Brigade reported that an accidental fault in the electrical underfloor heating caused the fire in the property.
Residents were alerted by the smoke alarms in the building before evacuating as a London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident shows just how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of your home.
“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.”
It is not clear yet what surface was on top on the underfloor heating.
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Warning over electric underfloor heating installation
Gaining professional help is important when installing electric underfloor heating(Image credit: Getty)
Electric underfloor heating systems are generally safe when properly installed and maintained, but they can pose a fire risk if these steps are not followed.
Fires can occur if heating elements or pipework overlap or if regular maintenance is neglected, electric underfloor heating experts MR Underfloor Heating state.
They add that flat-bottomed furniture, rugs, bean bags, or any items with a tog rating (the thermal resistance of a product) greater than 2.5 must not be placed over areas with heating mats or cables, as this can restrict airflow, cause thermal blocking, and potentially lead to overheating and fire hazards.
It's also worth pointing out that wet underfloor heating systems work very differently to electric systems with it being a system of pipework with hot water passing underneath rather than heated electric elements.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
