Firefighters are urging people to make sure they dispose of barbecues safely after a fire in Sudbury Height Avenue in Greenford in the early hours of this morning.
The fire started on a timber decking close to a shed between two rows of terraced houses before the fire to spread to two end of terrace properties.
One house was completely damaged by fire. A second house suffered fire damage to the first floor and roof.
All properties within the two terrace blocks were evacuated. There are no reports of any injuries.
Station manager Ben King, who was at the scene, said: “Crews worked hard to stop the fire spreading to neighbouring properties.
“There was a lot of smoke in the vicinity and we urged residents to close their windows and take extra care when driving in the area.
“Firefighters were at the scene through the night."
The Brigade's fire investigators believe the blaze was caused by a disposable barbecue which had been left on the decking.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “It appears that a resident had been using a disposable barbecue and was it left on the timber decking which caught alight.
“It is really important that people don’t use barbecues on balconies or on top of tower blocks as you could be putting the lives of the residents inside the building at risk.
“Always make sure barbecues are completely cool before leaving them unattended.”
The Brigade was called at 0022 and the fire was under control at 0405. Ten fire engines and around 72 firefighters and officers from Wembley, Northolt, Southall, Park Royal, Harrow and Acton fire stations attended the scene.