Some 20 people were forced to flee their homes after a fire erupted in a disused restaurant in Deptford.

Residents living in flats above eatery j5, in Deptford Broadway, had a lucky escape after the blaze destroyed part of the ground floor last night (February 3).

It later emerged all the batteries were removed from the fire detection system in the restaurant, and also from most of the smoke alarms in the communal staircase used by the flats.

Residents were first alerted to the danger crackling beneath them when the smelt burning, and noticed smoke wafting past their windows.

Once they realised their building was alight, they quickly alerted their neighbours, who all escaped unharmed.

MORE TOP STORIES Around 21 firefighters and four fire engines, from Greenwich, Dockhead, New Cross and Deptford fire stations, battled the blaze.

They managed to contain the flames, which took nearly an hour to quell after they arrived on the scene at 8pm.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Thankfully quick thinking residents were able to alert people to the fire when they saw smoke and smelt burning but sadly many of the smoke alarms in the building had their batteries removed.

“If residents hadn’t noticed the smoke coming from downstairs or if they had been overcome this fire could have had a very different outcome."

They reminded people to ensure they have at least one smoke alarm in their house, and regulaly test to see if its working. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.