The ground floor of a Tooting flat was gutted after an out of control domestic bonfire swept through the premises and caused a gas cylinder to explode.

Four fire appliances and 20 firefighters were called to 13 Barringer Square, on the Newlands Estate, just before 10pm last Tuesday, to attend the blaze which had been spread into the council property by high winds.

Around 50 residents from neighbouring flats evacuated themselves before the Fire Brigade arrived to tackle the fire, which quickly spread to the first floor and blew up a butane cylinder in a balcony cupboard of an adjacent flat.

Thanks to the early evacuation, no-one was injured but an elderly woman was checked for smoke inhalation and shock.

The blaze was controlled within half an hour and residents were allowed back into their homes an hour later.

Warning residents of the dangers of bonfires, a Fire Brigade spokesman said: "It is really important that people are careful if they are having bonfires in their back gardens particularly around bonfire night.

"Extra care should be taken if the garden is small, as this fire demonstrated. It was a windy night and spread into the flat very quickly. Luckily though, the occupant acted sensibly and called the fire brigade immediately."

November 6, 2001 16:00