Firefighters rescued six people from a fire which started in the basement of a block of flats, used for residential and business purposes, on Great Suffolk Street in Southwark.
Two vehicles in the basement of the building were destroyed and part of four further vehicles were damaged by fire. Half of the basement was also damaged by the blaze. Four adults and two children were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
Borough Commander Lee Sandy, who was at the scene, said: "Around 80 people left the building before the Brigade arrived.
"Firefighters used fire escape hoods to rescue four people from the building. Crews wearing breathing apparatus also rescued a further two people. They were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
"Crews worked incredibly hard to bring the fire under control and Southwark Bridge Road was closed whilst crews worked to make the scene safe."
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 alarm was raised by a neighbour who saw smoke coming across their window and made the first call to 999. The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 30 calls to the blaze and gave fire survival guidance advice to residents in neighbouring properties on how to stay safe and prevent smoke from going into their homes.
The Brigade was called at 0050 and the fire was under control by 0327. Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters from Lambeth, Dowgate, Old Kent Road and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.