Firefighters are urging Londoners to use barbecues safely after four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to a fire at a residential block of flats on Callender Road, Erith.
Neighbours from an adjacent block called 999 when they saw smoke coming from the affected building’s flat roof.
Bexley Watch Manager Tom Sharp, who was a the scene, said:
“It appears that residents had been using the barbecue on the roof near a halogen light, which caught alight. Embers were falling from the roof down the side of the building.
“It is really important that people don’t use barbecues on balconies or on communal flat roofs as you could be putting the lives of the residents inside the building at risk. Always make sure barbecues are not left unattended.”
A small section of the flat roof was damaged by fire.
Around 15 people left the building before the arrival of the Brigade. Some residents remained in their unaffected flats.
The Brigade was called at 2324 and the fire was under control at 0013. Fire crews from Bexley, Plumstead, and Erith fire stations attended the scene.