A GRANDFATHER was lucky to have left his flat 10 minutes before fire crews were called to a fire in it on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to the flat in Ellenborough Road, Foots Cray, at about 10.30am by neighbours when they saw smoke issuing from it.

The occupier was lucky to have left the flat just 10 minutes before with his grandchildren.

The whole of the kitchen area was damaged by the flames and the rest of the flat by heat and smoke. There was also some smoke damage to the communal hall.

Fire fighters from Sidcup, Bexley and Orpington, plus a Fire Response Unit from New Cross, managed to stop the blaze spreading into the roof void and causing more damage.

It is not being treated as suspicious but the cause has not yet been confirmed by the Fire Investigation Team.