A parked van caught fire, with the flames spreading up a nearby electric pole and sending plumes of black smoke over Mitcham and Tooting this afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the blaze in Longley Road, near Tooting station on the Mitcham/Tooting border at 2.36pm.
It was under control at just before 3pm.
A fire investigation unit is now exploring what caused the fire.
Polly Taylor, 24, a textiles designer, said: "I got worried when it started going up a nearby electric pole and was sparking.
"I called the emergency services, who arrived very quickly."
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