Tolworth Tower was evacuated last night after a fire in a lift mechanism.

Firefighters were called by the building’s security team at 6.17pm yesterday after smoke was seen pouring from a room housing a lift motor.

New Malden watch manager Ray Foster said a team of firefighters wearing breathing masks found the burned-out motor on the 16th floor, but that by the time they reached the room the flames had subsided.

He said: “It had completely burned out. In burning out it had sort of extinguished itself.

“There was quite a bit of smoke damage in the room and on the carpet by the door.

“It was a good evacuation from the tower. Their procedures were all really good.”