Firefighters rescued a resident from a roof after an unattended incense stick sparked a fire in their home in Streatham.
The blaze damaged around half of the second floor flat in Fayland Avenue. Fortunately no one was injured.
The Brigade was called after a resident in the flat was woken by a smoke alarm sounding and discovered the hallway was filled with smoke. They were able to climb out of a window onto the pitched roof of the building and were rescued by firefighters using a ladder.
The cause of the fire is believed to be the result of a lit incense stick left unattended.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Candles, incense sticks and oil burners are one of the most common causes of fire. It’s really important that you never leave them unattended and keep them away from anything that could catch fire such as curtains, furniture or clothes.
"We also advise to place these in a suitable fire resistant candleholder which won’t be knocked over, and make sure you put them out entirely when you leave the room and especially before bed.”
The Brigade was called at 0916 and the fire was under control by 1040. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Tooting and Norbury fire stations attended the incident.