Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire at an end-of-terrace house on Roe Way in Wallington.
The fire damaged the roof and part of the ground floor and first floor of an end-of terraced house. A shed and fencing belonging to the property was also damaged by fire. One cat called Tiger was rescued from the house by crews and brought to safety.
A neighbouring property also sustained some roof damage with further fencing and a shed also alight.
There were no reports of any injuries.
One of the Brigade's 32 metre ladders was deployed as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above.
Station Commander Ian Simpson was at the scene, he said: "Traffic in the surrounding area was severely impacted. Motorists were advised to avoid the area."
The Brigade's 999 Control officers received the first of 15 calls reporting the fire at 1549. Firefighters from Wallington, Croydon, Purley, Sutton and Norbury fire stations were at the scene. The fire was brought under control by 1936.
The fire is believed to have been caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials, with the fire spreading from a shed to the house.
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."
