London Fire Brigade warns young professionals
Young, well-educated, professionals are causing more than a quarter of all accidental house fires in the capital, latest figures show.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said this group was responsible for more than 4,500 of London's 18,000 house fires in the last three years.
A lot of fires occurred after people had been drinking, the brigade said.
LFB said warned "young, successful Londoners to take extra care and protect themselves from fire".
Analysis by the brigade revealed a checklist of traits shared by the group that caused a quarter of accidental house fires in the capital including:
- Being aged between 18 and 35 years old
- Having a degree
- Earning more than £40,000 a year.
LFB's community safety committee chairwoman Susan Hall, who is also a Tory councillor at Harrow Council, said: "These figures should be a wake-up call to any young professional in London who still thinks fires only happen to other people.
"Coming home from the pub after a few too many drinks and starting cooking can be a recipe for disaster.
"Our message to London's young professionals is clear - you are not immune from the dangers of fire."