Firefighters have issued a smoking safety reminder following a fire at a shop with flats above on Brighton Road in Coulsdon.
Half of the roof of the building was damaged by fire. Three people left the property uninjured.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident serves as a reminder for smokers to fully extinguish their cigarettes before disposing of them.
“If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy properties, but also cost you your life.
“Firefighters recommend that you have a look at our online Home Fire Safety Checker to make sure there are no hidden hazards in your home.
"The online tool will ask you a series of questions that will help us work out the level of risk in your home, or the home of someone you care for. It only takes a few minutes to get tailored advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe from fire.”
The Brigade’s Control Officers took the first call to the fire at 1636 and mobilised four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Purley, Croydon, Woodside and Norbury fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 1823.