A block of flats in Roehampton "shook like it had been crashed into" on Friday night after a lift fell when the cable apparently snapped.
According to a resident in the Blendworth Point flats, in Wanborough Drive, a loud bang was heard at about 11pm on June 17.
It is thought the cable snapped, sending the lift down the shaft.
A spokesman from Wandsworth Council said: "We are aware of an incident over the weekend when a lift in one of our blocks malfunctioned.
"Earlier that day a specialist firm of contractors had been working on this lift.
"Fortunately no-one was affected and the matter has since been reported to the Health and Safety Executive."
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