Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire at a flat on Rotherhithe New Road in South Bermondsey.
An electrical cable in a lift shaft between the seventh and the 10th floors was destroyed by fire and part of the lift car on the 14th floor was also damaged in the blaze. Around 50 people left the building before the Brigade arrived. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used fire escape hoods to lead one man and a woman to safety from the 14th floor of the building. One woman was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with 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. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.
The Brigade was called at 2146 and the fire was under control by 2304. Fire crews from Deptford, Old Kent Road, Dockhead, Peckham, Greenwich and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.