An arson investigation is underway after a fire forced 18 people to flee their homes.

Firefighters helped the residents out of flats in Central Parade after a storage building behind shops caught fire.

Fourteen propane gas cylinders were discovered in the burning building and they were cooled down with jets of water before being removed.

The storage building was completely destroyed in the blaze.

Everyone who fled their homes after fire broke out at about 7pm on Saturday night was taken to a nearby community centre before being allowed home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Six fire engines and around 35 firefighters and officers from Addington, Woodside, Croydon, Bromley and Leytonstone attended the incident, which lasted for about seven hours.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.