Firefighters are warning people to ensure candles and incense sticks are always properly extinguished following a fire in Booth Close in Thamesmead.
A small part of the kitchen of a six-roomed maisonette on the second and third floor of the four-storey block was damaged by the fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
The Brigade’s fire investigators believe the fire was caused by an incense stick which hadn’t been extinguished properly.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The resident thought they had extinguished the incense stick and left it on a dish on a kitchen work surface before leaving the property.
“Rather than burn down as an incense stick should, it fell from the surface and set light to papers and plastic on the floor and the resulting fire caused a nearby aerosol can to explode.
“Fortunately, there were smoke alarms fitted in the property which activated and alerted a neighbour to the fire. They did the right thing by immediately calling 999.
“This incident shows just how vital it is to ensure you always extinguish candles and incense sticks properly and never leave them unattended.
“It also shows how important it is to have smoke alarms fitted throughout your home as they give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts.”
The Brigade was called at 0918 and the fire was under control by 1008. Fire crews from Plumstead, Erith and Bexley fire stations attended the scene.