A group of off-duty firefighters saved the day when they discovered a fire when walking home after dinner.

The firefighters, who work on the white watch in Battersea Fire Station, could smell burning half a mile away just before 11.30pm last night.

Instead of catching the last train home from Clapham Junction station they followed their noses and discovered the blaze in York Road, Battersea.

They found a police officer and asked him to break down the door to the block of flats, while people inside were excorted out.

The firefighters dialled 999, with their colleagues from green watch night shift arriving quickly to tackle the blaze.

It took an hour to put out the fire, believed to have been caused by a disposable barbecue, with York Road closed off while it was put out.

The barbecue had been left on a window ledge which set the eaves of the roof alight and roof tiles had to be removed.

Battersea Station manager Julian Spooner said: "These firefighters showed determination in tracking down the fire despite being off-duty which shows their community spirit.

"In another ten minutes the whole roof could have been alight, causing untold damage and possible injuries to anyone still inside.

"The firefighters showed courage and the true spirit of the London Fire Brigade by going beyond the call of duty."

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "You should never use barbecues on window ledges or balconies as it’s really easy for the them to set fire to anything that’s nearby.

"If you use barbecues, please make sure they’re fully out once you’ve finished with them, otherwise they can smoulder and continue to burn as happened at this fire in Battersea."