A FIRE blazed in a residential care home in Mildmay Park on Tuesday night.

Twenty-five firefighters tackled the flames that damaged half of a third-floor self-contained flat.

Five calls were made to 999 about the blaze, which is being treated as accidental.

One man suffered smoke inhalation and was tended by London Ambulance Service.

London Fire Brigade said the cause was likely to have been the unsafe disposal of cigarettes.

The brigade said smoking is a major cause of fire fatalities and are asking people to smoke outside, not to balance cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray or anything else, not to leave lit ones unattended, and to take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.

A spokesperson said: “We’d rather you didn’t smoke at all, but if you are a smoker, it’s vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it. If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy properties but also cost you your life.”