Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a restaurant on Eccleston Yard in Westminster.
A small part of the ground floor of a restaurant in a four-storey building with flats above was damaged by fire. There were no injuries reported.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and involved cooking.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home.
"Cooking should never be left unattended on the hob or grill - if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat."
The Brigade was called at 2220 and the fire was under control by 0018. Fire crews from Chelsea, Clapham, and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene.
Practical steps for safer cooking
- Take extra care when cooking with hot oil as it can easily overheat and catch fire.
- Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil.
- Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil – oil and water are a dangerous mix.
- If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool.
- Try not to leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill – if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.
- Not feeling 100%? Order a takeaway – if you're very tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that might make you drowsy, it's safer not to risk it.
- Be fabric aware – loose clothing can easily catch fire, so take care not to lean over a hot hob, and always keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
