Firefighters have issued a reminder of their smoking safety advice following a fire at a block of flats on Dunheved Road in Thornton Heath.
Around three tonnes of building materials were destroyed by the fire. Damage was also caused to the external cladding on four flats from ground to third floor level, and to a small part of an external garage. Around fifty people left the building before the Brigade arrived. One woman was taken to hospital 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 13 calls at 1826 and mobilised four fire engines and around 25 firefighters to the scene from Norbury, Croydon and Woodside fire stations. The fire was extinguished by 1944.