Six fire engines and 35 firefighters and officers were called to a fire at a block of flats in Millender Walk, Bermondsey this morning.
Part of a disused car park on the lower ground floor of the building was damaged by fire.
Around 20 people were evacuated from the block of flats by the Metropolitan Police Service.
The Brigade was called at 0147 and the fire was under control at 0350. Fire crews from Deptford, Old Kent Road, Dockhead, New Cross, Peckham and Greenwich fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be due to unsafe disposal of cigarettes.