A block of flats just one month from construction completion have been wrecked in a fire which started in the early hours of this morning.
The flats, formerly a cafe on Mitcham Road, Tooting, were being built by developers South Park Residential Homes.
More than 20 fire officers from stations including Wimbledon, Tooting and Mitcham used six fire engines and an aerial unit to fight the blaze since 5.19am.
VIDEO: Firefighters put out the fire
Lee Sandy, station manager at Lambeth, said the fire had now been put out, but teams were in the wreckage locating smaller isolated pockets of flame and damping down.
He added the building was empty at the time and there had been no injuries.
Vijay Patel, director of the company, who brought the building 18 months ago, was informed about the blaze at about 5.30am.
He said: "I am gutted and shocked. Shocked is the word.
It was so close to completion. I was looking at it on the way home last night really happy.
"Now we will have to start again."
Mitcham Road is closed as officers make the scene safe
Buses using the road are on diversion including routes 44, 57, 77, 127, 264, 270, 280, 333, 355 and G1.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
An aerial unit was used to help tackle the blaze
Get the latest travel information for this incident
Did you see what happened? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6334.
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