‘Cool your coals’ is the advice from firefighters as a bag of hot coals was to blame for a garden shed blaze on Timber Pond Road in Rotherhithe on Wednesday morning.

The brigade believes that coals used in a barbecue on Tuesday were bagged up while still hot and when the owner woke up he saw his shed alight. The fire completely destroyed the shed and nearby fencing. It also spread to a neighbouring fence and partly damaged another shed.

“Fires involving barbecues don’t only come during cooking but long after you’ve polished off the bangers and burgers,” said aLondon Fire Brigade spokesperson.

“It’s important that you cool your coals and ash before you dispose of them. Also make sure the barbecue is cool before you try to move it.”

The brigade was called at 9.01am and the fire was under control by 9.50am. Fire crews from Dockhead, Old Kent Road, Deptford and New Cross fire stations attended the scene.