Firefighters rescued two people from a fire at a mixed-use commercial and residential building on Lombard Road in Battersea.
Most of a hotel room on the second floor was damaged by fire and smoke logging affected the upper floors of the building. Around 100 people were out of the building before the Brigade arrived. Two people were taken to hospital and two further people were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.
Station Commander Sacha Clement, who was at the scene, said: "Firefighters worked incredibly hard to bring the fire under control and stop the fire from spreading further.
"Firefighters rescued a man from the second floor of the building via a ladder and a woman was rescued by crews wearing breathing apparatus via an internal staircase using a fire escape hood.
"The Brigade's 999 Control Officers also gave vital fire survival guidance to a person inside the building on how to stay safe before firefighters arrived."
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 2322 and the fire was under control by 0125. Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters from Battersea, Wandsworth, Clapham, Fulham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be the unsafe use of tea light candles.
• Keep candles/tea lights away from curtains, furniture and anything else that can catch fire.
• Always place your candles/tea lights in a suitable fire-resistant candleholder.
• Make sure the candleholder holds the candle/tea light firmly and is on a flat and stable surface to stop it falling over.
Make sure you put out any candles, incense and oil burners when you leave the room and especially before bed.