AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a fire burnt through a garage fence, yards away from shops and flats in a busy road.

Eight firefighters battled the blaze which destroyed part of the fence in an alleyway behind Pinner Road, North Harrow.

Observer reporter David Baker raised the alarm after spotting the flames from the street.

He said: "People just seemed to be ignoring the fact the fence was on fire. With the rate it was spreading, who knows what might have happened."

A resident of Pinner Road, who did not wish to be named, saw a man running away from the scene. She said: "I just saw a teenager running away from the garages. He looked back at me then just ran off.

"I went home as I thought it was a barbecue but then I heard a huge bang and saw it was a fire."

Paul O'Shae, from the Blue watch at Harrow fire station, said: "We were called at 5.30pm and were on the scene for around an hour making sure the police and the owner came to secure the premises."

Freddy Trott, the owner of the garages, suspected the fire may have been caused by youngsters.

He said "Kids have been hanging about in the back smoking. I used to use it as a garage to store wheels and bikes, but I rent it out now.

"The damage wasn't as bad as it could have been it."