Firefighters put out a fire at a care home last night as elderly residents with Alzheimer's disease slept on, unaware of the drama.

Three fire engines raced to Pelham House on the corner of Montague Road and Pelham Road in Wimbledon after fire broke out in a store room, thought to be caused by a faulty extractor fan.

But because the blaze was small it was decided there was no need to evacuate the residents who have Dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The care manager Patrick Edwards said the residents, who have an average age of 92, were oblivious to the drama as firefighters from Wimbledon, Mitcham and New Malden stations brought the fire under control at 1am.

Mr Edwards arrived at the home in the early hours of this morning after being alerted. He said: "The residents were oblivious to anything happening.

"They were sitting having breakfast this morning and they had no idea 15 firemen were running around the building most of the night.

"None of the residents were affected."

Mr Edwards said the fire had been contained in a locked store room for dry goods including biscuits, and the walls were black with smoke damage.

An investigation will take place to establish the exact cause of the fire.

Firefighters were at the home for about one hour on Tuesday, October 14.