Firefighters have reissued a warning about the importance of smoke alarms after a man narrowly escaped a blaze at a house in Streatham Vale yesterday evening.

Two crews from Norbury fire station, and later two more crews from Tooting fire station, were called shortly after 6.20pm to an end terrace house in Abercairn Road, next to Streatham Common station.

They rescued one man, who is not thought to have been injured, using a nine metre ladder.

They had the blaze under control by 7.30pm but continued to damp down the building, which had been converted into several flats, until 10.30pm.

A spokesman for Norbury fire station said the roof of the house was removed to ensure the fire was completely extinguished.

He said Lambeth Police and London Ambulance crews attended the scene as a precaution but their assistance was not required.

The third floor of the building was completed gutted and the second floor was badly damaged, the London Fire Brigade said.

Watch manager from Norbury fire station, Michael Barratt, who was at the scene, said: “The house was badly damaged by fire and there were no smoke alarms fitted.

“It’s vital to have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home as they buy you precious seconds to escape if you’re unlucky enough to have a fire. Smoke alarms save lives- it’s as simple as that.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.