Hoarders with huge amounts of junk stashed in their homes are at risk being killed in an inferno if it catches alight, a fire brigade warned. More than 1,000 fires linked to hoarding have left 10 people dead and over 180 injured in London over the last year.
As a result the London Fire Brigade has warned the cost-of-living crisis could make the risk of devastating fires even worse. People living on the breadline with "hoarding tendencies" are even more at risk as they often try alternative cheaper ways to cook, heat and light their homes, the LFB said.
Experts warned hoarders who have too many possessions and find it hard to throw things away, risk leaving exit routes blocked and escape more difficult in a fire. Hoarders also often keep books and papers in their homes, which also adds to the fire risk and can cause a hazard for rescuers if a blaze breaks out.
