Firefighters have issued a reminder of their smoking safety advice following a fire at a flat on Brentmead Place in Golders Green.
Half of a flat was damaged by the fire. Seven people left the building before the Brigade arrived. Three people and a cat were rescued from a flat roof by firefighters using a short extension ladder. There are no reports of any injuries.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and was caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "While we’d rather you didn’t smoke at all, if you are a smoker, it’s vital you make sure that your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it and disposed of responsibly. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home but also cost you your life.
“A single careless act, such as a discarded cigarette, can have devastating consequences - threatening lives, destroying multiple homes and displacing families in a matter of minutes.
"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 four calls at 0340 and mobilised four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Hendon, West Hampstead, Finchley and Mill Hill fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 0451.