Barbecue lovers have been warned to be careful disposing of their hot coals after fire broke out in a back garden last night.

Two sheds went up in smoke at the rear of a house in Wandle Road, Mitcham, at about 11pm yesterday, while the occupants had gone out.

The fire spread to several trees running along the river Wandle, next to Ravensbury Park.

Fire crews from Mitcham and Sutton put the fire out within 10 minutes and had discovered used coals had been rested against one of the sheds.

A crew manager from Mitcham fire station warned residents to be more careful when holding barbecues at home, especially during this weekend’s diamond jubilee festivities and street parties.

He said: “The neighbours were quite frightened because from a distance it could have been mistaken for a large house fire.

“Luckily the damage wasn’t worse but these were actually really nice sheds which have been destroyed so needlessly.”

Got a story for us? Call 020 8722 6333, tweet @WimbledonNews or email: newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk.