A family’s household belongings were destroyed in a summer house fire started by an out-of-control bonfire in a neighbouring garden.

Epsom fire officers and those from the London Fire Brigade were called to a house in Northey Avenue, Cheam, at 1.20pm on Monday, where a summer house was "completely destroyed".

An Epsom firefighter said: "They were having their house worked on and put all their belonging, household items, photos, in the summer house.

"It was completely destroyed. "A bonfire in the neighbouring garden got out of control and the fire spread.

"We managed to salvage some of the items but most of them were destroyed. It was full to the rafters."

He said it took firefighters four hours to put the fire out.

He added: "When we turned up the fire was quite advanced in its growth.

"The owners were shocked, but the owners of the garden with the bonfire seemed more shocked."