Alarm over skin creams linked to 15 fire deaths

A WARNING over the danger of flammable skin creams was sent out last night as it emerged that they were responsible for 15 fire deaths in London alone in the last three years.

Creams containing paraffin and petroleum bases can act like a wick if ignited, and can seep into bedsheets and clothes, making them flammable.

Washing sheets at a high temperature does not always remove the residue and sheets covered in the creams can burst into flames when a cigarette is dropped on them.

Hilda Batten, from Earlsfield, London, died after she accidentally set herself alight in 2016.

The regular smoker suffered from multiple sclerosis and had creams applied to her skin every day. Her niece, Val Hamil- ton, said her aunt had never been warned of the dangers.

‘Knowing about the risks now is too little too late. They should put a warning on the packaging,’ she said.

Dan Daly, of the London Fire Brigade, said: ‘It’s a horrific reality but if you’re wearing creams with flammable ingredients and you accidentally drop ash or a match, you are literally setting yourself on fire.’

Emollient cream had been found at the deaths of 15 people between March 5, 2013, and October 12, 2016.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said all creams containing paraffin should carry a flammability warning.

‘Too little too late’