A tealight started a fire in a New Malden flat this morning after it was left on top of a television.

Firefighters from New Malden and Surbiton attended the fire, in Arun House, High Street, at 5.22am after reports that a fire had broken out in a flat above a shop.

New Malden fire station manager Neil Sinclair, said the tealight caused severe damage to one room of the flat but that firefighters using breathing apparatus had managed to stop the blaze spreading further.

He said: "Never leave candles unattended - they should always be placed in a suitable, non-combustible container.

"Don't place them on televisions or other highly flammable items."