A pensioner has died after fire destroyed the first floor of a mid-terraced house in south-east London early on Thursday.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus dragged the man, in his 70s, from the inferno via an internal staircase around 3am, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, in Leahurst Road, Hither Green.
A woman aged in her 60s escaped the building before London Fire Brigade arrived, and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
The fire service was called to the scene shortly before 3am.
Around 25 firefighters in four fire engines spent around an hour and 45 minutes tackling the blaze, which was under control by about 4.45am.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
The Metropolitan Police added officers were called shortly after 3am, saying: “Officers responded with the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.
“Sadly a man aged in his 70s was found deceased.
“A woman aged in her 60s was taken to hospital. Her condition is not being treated as life-threatening.”
