Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to deal with reports of raised carbon monoxide levels in a building on Rye Lane, Peckham this afternoon.
The elevated levels of carbon monoxide were registered in a range of shops with flats above them following the use of a petrol generator.
Twenty people were evacuated by the gas authority before the arrival of the Brigade, and a further six were led to safety by fire crews.
Four more men were rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus as they carried out a sweep of the building. All four were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.
After evacuating and ventilating the building crews monitored the carbon monoxide levels until it was safe.
Firefighters want everyone to make sure they have a carbon monoxide detector in their home. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, with least 50 deaths nationally recorded every year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Despite this, the majority of people still do not have a carbon monoxide detector in their home. It is vital that everyone has a carbon monoxide alarm in addition to smoke alarms.”
The Brigade was called at 1631 and the incident was over by 1945. Fire crews from New Cross, Deptford and Lewisham attended the scene.