Anyone with a Christmas tree in their home should be wary of fires, London Fire Brigade have warned.

The firefighters shared a shocking video showing how quickly a Christmas tree can go up in flames.

In the clip, a perfectly normal looking tree, festooned with lights and baubles, catches fire.

Flames engulf the tree in a matter of seconds, with fire covering the tree and ceiling in 10 seconds.

London Fire Brigade warned: "Check your Christmas tree lights are in good condition and turn them off before you go to bed.

"Make sure you have working smoke alarms."

Part of the reason the tree catches fire so easily is because it is unwatered and therefore particularly dry.

A 6ft tree can drink up to two pints of water daily, and should be kept standing in a bucket of water which is topped up every day.

How to prevent Christmas tree fires in your home:

Fairy Lights

Check the fuses are the right type - check the box for the maximum size of fuse you should use.

If bulbs blow, replace them and don’t let bulbs touch anything that can burn easily, such as paper.

Don’t overload sockets.

Christmas Tree

Needles on fresh trees should be green and the needle should not break as if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to touch.

Bounce a tree trunk on the ground and if lots of needles fall off, it is an old tree which has probably dried out and is a fire hazard.

Decorations

Decorations made of tissue paper or cardboard burn easily, so should be avoided.

Don’t attach them to light or heaters. Don’t put them directly above or around a fireplace.