Investigators launched a probe into a potentially suspicious fire at a ‘recently-sold house’ in the early hours of this morning.

The roof of the empty house in Old Malden Lane, Worcester Park was “completely destroyed”, according to firefighters, after the fire spread from the garage.

Crews from Banstead, Epsom, Esher, New Malden and Leatherhead fought the fire after being called at 12.36am.

Firefighters scaled an aerial platform ladder to reach the roof of the house safely, while three others used breathing apparatus to get closer to the flames.

They used a hose reel jet to put out the blaze, before returning to their fire stations by about 4.30am.

“It wasn’t derelict, but it was empty because it had just been sold,” a firefighter from Epsom fire station explained.

A fire investigation is underway.