A fire destroyed part of a car repair workshop near Hackbridge station earlier this morning.

Part of the single storey workshop and three vehicles were damaged by the blaze.

Sixty gas cylinders were removed and cooled down as some can explode when exposed to heat.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led two men from a nearby caravan to safety using fire escape hoods," a spokesman for the LFB said.

"Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people.

"If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier."

The fire happened next to Hackbridge Railway station and train operations have been restored between Carshalton and Mitcham South.

The Brigade was called at 2.05am and the fire was under control by 4.42am. Fire crews from Wallington and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.