Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a restaurant with flats above on Morden Road in Merton this afternoon.
The fire damaged the first floor of the three storey building and the roof of a single storey extension to the rear of the property.
London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
"A family of three were at home in the flat directly above the restaurant when they could smell
smoke. Thankfully they all evacuated safely. Two restaurant staff were alerted to the smoke when a passer by saw smoke coming from the window above the shop.
"Businesses should make sure their extraction system is kept clean as a build-up of fat and grease within the filters can lead to a fire.”
The Brigade was called at 1400 and the fire was under control by 1552. Crews from New Malden, Purley, Wimbledon and Mitcham fire stations attended the incident.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.