Quick thinking neighbours defied a nationwide hosepipe ban to put out a fence fire as a blaze broke out at a Chessington home.

The residents acted as fire crews rushed to the scene to battle a blaze raging on at a the house in Ashby Avenue Chessington at 4pm this afternoon.

The fire had spread to a neighbour’s garden but the concerned residents had no time to consider the £1000 pound incurred for breaking the ban and put out the fire using water from the hosepipe.

Shortly afterwards the street was evacuated but neighbours were allowed to return to their homes 40 minutes later.

Keith Banks, 77, who lives a couple of doors down on Ashby Avenue, said he and his wife were in their slippers ready to settle in for the night when they got a knock from a bystander who had seen the fire.

He said: “The fence was on fire so we had to use the hosepipe even though the ban comes in today.

“I am sure we will be ok and won’t get fined for putting out a fire.

Fiona Walls, 41, another resident on the street, said: "It was right up there. There were plumes of black smoke. It was huge.

"I heard it was a bonfire they were having in the back. It was very scary at first but they [the firefighters] came quickly.”

A spokeswoman for London Fire Brigade said: “Two fire engines attended the scene on Ashby Avenue today at 4pm.

"The ground floor and some part of the first floor and an area external decking was on fire been have now been extinguished. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

“The fire has since been put out by crews from Surbiton and Hayes, with no injuries reported.”

Do you have any pictures or were you the people living at the house where the fire began? Get in touch with Nazia Dewji at ndewji@london.newsquest.co.uk