A roof went up in flames after a couple were using a disposable barbecue on a balcony.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at 11.30pm to York Road, Battersea, last night.

Two engines from Wandsworth fire station and an engine from Battersea fire station were called to the scene.

It took an hour to put out the fire, with York Road closed off while it was put out.

The blaze began on the couple's balcony but spread to underneath the roof, which meant a large portion of roof tiles had to be removed.

People living in the block of flats, located above a disused shop, were evacuated from the building.

It is believed the couple were cooking food on the barbecue earlier in the evening and had not properly disposed of it.

Mick Gomm, green watch manager at Battersea fire station said people using barbecues need to take precautions.

He said: "The transfer of heat from it is incredibly high. Nowadays we are getting more and more people using them in blocks of flats and balconies.

"People need to make sure they dispose of them carefully and put them on non-combustible surfaces."