Firefighters have issued a safety warning after an electric fan heater is believed to have caused a fire at a maisonette in Balham High Road, Tooting.
Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers were called to the fire which damaged a first floor maisonette. One man was rescued by crews wearing breathing apparatus and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews and firefighters led a further four people to safety from a third floor flat.
The Brigade’s fire investigators believe the fire was caused by an electric fan heater.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “It’s tempting to pull heaters close to you when the temperature drops but blankets and duvets or other material getting too close to heaters is a dangerous fire risk.
“Shockingly over two thirds of fatal fires involving heaters are caused by clothing or furniture being too close.
“People need to make sure their portable heaters are standing upright and kept well away from clothes, curtains or furniture.
The Brigade was called at 1128 and the fire was under control at 1310. Fire crews from Tooting, Clapham and Wimbledon fire stations attended the scene.