Fire breaks out at Liam Payne's London apartment

Three of Liam Payne's friends were taken to hospital on Monday (02Sep13) after a horrific fire broke out at the One Direction star's London apartment.

The singer reportedly accompanied the three victims in an ambulance after a heater on the balcony of his penthouse exploded, destroying 80 per cent of the patio.

A source tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "His friend went to fill up the gas for a heating lamp, there was some sort of accident and the whole balcony went up in flames."

Payne, who celebrated his 20th birthday last week (29Aug13), is believed to have been inside the property at the time of the accident, and none of his bandmates were present.

The singer's unnamed pal suffered 20 per cent burns to his hands and face in the blast, while another man and a woman were treated for superficial burns to their hands.

Officials are currently investigating the cause of the fire.