Firefighters have issued a reminder of their smoking safety advice following a fire at a mid-terraced house on Aurelia Gardens in Croydon.
A pile of rubbish in the front garden was destroyed by the fire. Further damage was also caused to the windows, gutter and soffit boards of neighbouring properties. One woman left the building before the Brigade arrived and was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and was caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "If you smoke it is vitally important you stub it right out, preferably in an ashtray.
"Always ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire.
"Firefighters recommend that you have a look at our online Home Fire Safety Checker to make sure there are no hidden hazards in your home.
"The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
Control Officers took the first of six calls at 1251 and mobilised four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Croydon, Woodside, Sutton and Wallington fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 1423.