Fourteen people have been rescued by firefighters after a blaze broke out in a south-east London block of flats in the early hours of Friday.
Children rescued from a staircase were among those carried to safety, before being treated by paramedics.
Around 60 firefighters in eight fire engines rushed to the scene in Polecroft lane, Lewisham, just before 4am on Friday.
A blaze had engulfed the ground floor flat in a four-storey building.
Two people were rescued from neighbouring flats, and two children were rescued from a staircase by firefighters who wore breathing apparatus to protect against the smoke.
They were all treated by London Ambulance Service crews at the scene.
Around 10 people from other floors in the building were given smoke hoods and led to safety.
Fire escape hoods provide up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases - carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein - and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people.
Firefighters spent around two-and-a-half hours fighting the blaze, which was under control by 6.20am.
Station Commander Sam Woodhams said: “Crews worked extremely hard to bring the fire under control and in difficult conditions.
“Firefighters are likely to remain at the scene for the next few hours.”
The cause of the fire will be investigated.
