Firefighters have issued candle safety advice after a house fire in Banfield Road, Peckham in the early hours of this morning.
Half of the first floor of the terraced house and part of the roof were damaged by fire.
Watch manager Benjamin Jolly, who was at the scene, said: “It was a fully developed fire when we arrived and it had broken through the back bedroom window and had started to go up through the eaves and into the roof.”
The fire is believed to have been caused by a candle left unattended.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: "Candles are one of the most common causes of fire. It’s really important that you never leave a candle unattended and keep them away from curtains and anything else that can easily catch fire."
Top candle safety tips
Keep candles/tea lights away from curtains, furniture and anything else that can catch fire. Keep loose clothing and hair away from candles/tea lights when they are lit.
Always place your candles/tea lights in a suitable fire resistant candleholder.
Make sure the candleholder holds the candle/tea light firmly and is on a flat and stable surface to stop it falling over.
Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to the scene.
The Brigade was called at 0250 and the fire was under control at 0418. Fire crews from Peckham, Old Kent Road, Greenwich and Deptford fire stations attended the scene.