Dozens of firefighters battled a blaze above a shop in St Helier for three hours last night following a suspected arson attack.

Six engines, including one aerial unit, were sent to flames at a disused flat above Superdrug in Wrythe Lane at 7.20pm. 

Thirty-five firefighters from 10 south-west London stations attended, with crews remained on scene until midnight.

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The flat and its roof were badly damaged in the fire but no one was injured.

The road was closed due to the risk of falling debris.

Police said they were treating the fire as arson and forensics officers are to carry out examinations when it is safe to enter the building.

A passer-by alerted London Fire Brigade after spotting flames through a second-floor window last night.

A large hole could be seen in shutters of Superdrug, which remains closed, this morning.

A man who lives in nearby Reigate Avenue said: "My wife phoned me and told me about the fire.

"She said the blaze was coming through the roof and that a lot of the fire engines were trying to put it out.

"Luckily I don't think anyone was hurt and I don't think anyone lives above the shops."

Firefighters had the flames under control by 10.32pm.

Crews from Sutton, Wimbledon, Wallington, New Malden, Tooting, West Norwood, Addington, Norbury, Surbiton and Croydon stations all attended.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman siad this morning: "Police are treating the fire as suspected arson and are investigating.

"Forensic officers are due to carry out an examination when it is safe to enter the building to do so."

Anyone with information can contact Sutton Police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.