London Fire Brigade is urging carers, families and support workers to use the Home Fire Safety Checker as fire risks linked to hoarding increase during the winter months. The warning follows a rise in incidents across the capital and renewed concern about safety in cluttered homes.
Firefighters attended 1,028 fires involving hoarding in 2025, marking the highest annual total since 2022. This represents an increase from 954 incidents recorded in 2024, equivalent to an 8 per cent rise. The Brigade reports that hoarding behaviours are being encountered more frequently during emergency responses and home fire safety visits.
Hoarding significantly increases the likelihood of fire and injury. Large quantities of stored items such as paper, clothing, cardboard and furniture can accelerate the spread of fire, obstruct exits and make escape more difficult. Firefighters also face greater challenges when tackling blazes in heavily cluttered properties.
The risk intensifies during colder months between November and April, when heating and cooking appliances are used more often. Since 2021, more than 970 people have been injured in hoarding related fires, with the majority of incidents occurring during this winter period.
Data from last year shows that cooking was the leading cause of hoarding related fires, accounting for 226 incidents. A further 137 fires were caused by items being placed too close to a heat source. Recent examples include a fire in Hayes where an unattended candle ignited nearby possessions, followed days later by an incident in Acton involving hoarded materials positioned too close to a hob.
London Fire Brigade works alongside carers, housing providers, health professionals and local authorities to reduce hoarding fire risks. Support includes tailored fire safety advice, fitting and checking smoke alarms, referrals to partner organisations and the hosting of support groups at fire stations.
Carers and support workers are being encouraged to complete the Home Fire Safety Checker on behalf of people they support. The online tool helps identify hazards and provides tailored guidance or access to a visit from a local fire station if required. Simple actions such as keeping exits clear, reducing clutter near cooking areas and using heaters and candles safely can reduce risk.
The Home Fire Safety Checker was launched in July 2023 and has already been completed by more than 31,000 people.
Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Pam Oparaocha, said: “Fires in homes affected by hoarding don’t just put the resident at risk. They can spread quickly, threatening neighbours and creating extremely challenging conditions for firefighters responding to the incident.
“Tackling hoarding-related fire risk is not about enforcement or judgement but about working together to keep people safe. By recognising the signs early and offering the right support, we can help prevent avoidable fires and protect lives.
“If you think someone may need support, please take a moment to review the helpful information on hoarding available on our website and complete the Home Fire Safety Checker on their behalf. Homes can contain hidden fire risks, and the online checker helps you identify potential hazards during a walk-through of the property. It then provides a personalised action plan with simple, practical steps to help keep people safer in their own homes.”
