The fire brigade is blaming the careless discarding of a cigarette for a fire that ripped through a bungalow on Welcomes Road, a private road in Kenley.

The London Fire Brigade’s control officers took the first call to the fire just before 4pm on Saturday afternoon and sent six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Croydon, Wallington, Norbury, Addington and Purley fire stations to the scene.

The fire was under control by 6.10pm.

By then, most of the roof was damaged by fire, along with part of the ground floor.

Three people left the building before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.

“The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials,” a spokesperson for the LFB said.

“If you’re a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home 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.”

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