The roof and first floor of a semi-detached home has been partly destroyed after a fire ripped through the property this morning. 

The fire is reported to have ripped through the roof and first floor of a family home while a father was taking his child to school.

Residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution and the blaze has now been brought under control. 

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters were called to Trenchard Court just off Green Lane in Morden at 8.32am. 

The London Fire Brigade said the fire affected a semi-detached house of two floors.

"Half of the first floor and the whole of the roof was damaged in the blaze. "Firefighters will remain at the scene damping down remaining hotspots.

"Fortunately no-one was injured," a spokeswoman said. 

Police were called at 8.46am this morning to reports of a fire.

Residents of the road were evacuated as a precaution, a police spokeswoman said. 

Patrick Mensah,  40, who lives on the estate, said: "We parked our car and saw the firemen coming in. I was shocked. We all live on the estate and seeing that fire it ached my heart."

He said a family lives in the semi-detached house and he understands the father discovered the fire after returning from dropping his child off at school. 

The private estate is run by Haig Housing Trust, which runs affordable housing to let to ex-service personnel and their families in 'housing need.'

A member of staff at the trust said this morning nobody was hurt in the fire.  

A witness said earlier this morning: "I can see thick black smoke, with flames, that appears to be coming out of a first-floor window.

"There's thick black smoke going high into the sky."

Firefighters from Purley, Wimbledon, Mitcham and Sutton fire stations attended the incident.

It was brought under control at 9.50am and the cause is under investigation. 

Do you live on the estate? Leave a comment below or call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6336.