Firefighters were called to a fire at a laundrette on Jamaica Road in Bermondsey.
Part of a tumble dryer in a ground floor laundrette was damaged by fire. Around five people left the property before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
The fire was discovered by a member of staff who heard smoke alarms sounding and then saw smoke coming from behind a row of tumble dryers.
The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by towels self-heating after being left in an industrial tumble dryer.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "These types of fires often involve textiles that become contaminated with oil, most commonly linseed, massage and cooking oil on tea towels, tablecloths and chef whites. Make sure you check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations of your textiles before washing.
“Sometimes when materials are cleaned and put in tumble dryers, the heat from the tumble drying cannot escape. This can result in a high enough temperature allowing it to build up to a point where it smoulders and eventually ignites.
“If you are washing and then drying on a hot cycle, always use the cooling cycle on the tumble dryer so it cools down and allow the heat to dissipate properly before stacking laundered items together.”
The Brigade was called at 1501 and the fire was under control by 1526. Two fire engines from Dockhead and New Cross fire stations attended the scene.