The top floor of a Thornton Heath house was badly damaged by a fire sparked by a faulty hairdryer.

Four crews from Norbury, West Norwood and Croydon were sent to the terraced house in Beulah Road at 12.02pm yesterday after a smoke alarm alerted neighbours.

A spokesman from Norbury fire station said it took firefighters an hour to bring the flames under control.

Half of the first floor was damaged by the flames. 

The family that live in the house were away on holiday at the time.