Police are investigating after a large quantity of petrol was found covering the communal stairwell of a block of flats.
About five litres of petrol was found in a hallway and the stairwell between the ground floor and second floor of the block in Corbet Close, Hackbridge, last night.
Firefighters were called to the scene by a concerned resident at 11.42pm.
Police believed the petrol may have been poured on to the stairwell deliberately.
A firefighter who attended said: "This had the potential to be a major incident.
"Luckily the petrol had not been ignited so we were able to deal with the situation quickly and safely."
The petrol was washed off and the concrete stairwell and sand put down to make it safe.
Police are investigating and are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious to call Sutton Police Station on 020 8643 1212.
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