A man has escaped a house fire in New Malden unharmed after “smoking materials” sparked the blaze last week, the London Fire Brigade has revealed.

The man left the house in Byron Avenue before the London Fire Brigade arrived, despite the house having no smoke alarms.

The London Fire Brigade confirmed they received no reports of any injuries.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from New Malden, Wimbledon, Sutton and surrounding fire stations were called at 1.22pm on December 28.

Part of the first floor and most of a loft conversion in a mid-terraced house was damaged by a fire.

Fire investigators said they believe the fire was accidental and “caused by smoking materials.”

The London Fire Brigade issued a public safety reminder after the incident to install “smoke alarms on every floor, in the hallways and the rooms you use the most plus a heat alarm in the kitchen."

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson 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 that will cause a lot of damage, but also may cost lives.”