Four people evacuated a laundrette fire with flats above it in Lewisham believed to be started by an overheated tumble-dryer.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to St Georges Parade in Perry Hill yesterday (Sunday, October 13) at 10.50pm.

A laundrette on the ground floor below of the two-storey building was damaged by the blaze.

No injuries were reported.

It is believed that the fire was accidental and caused by “self-heating of textiles”.

The fire was under control by 12.09am today.

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.”