A chimney caught fire at a riverside bar and restaurant in Surbiton today.

Firemen were called to Harts Boatyard when the flue above the fireplace set alight at about midday.

Guests were evacuated before the fire service arrived at the scene.

The firemen put out the flames and had to cut away a part of the roof. Nobody was injured.

Robin Hart, Surbiton Fire Station watch manager, said: “We believe there was an issue with the venting on the flue.

"It basically caused smouldering and a small fire on flue level. The staff dealt with it very effectively before we got there.”

A staff member at Harts Boatyard said: "The top of the chimney caught on fire and it has been put out."

The restaurant reopened shortly after the incident.