Firefighters rescued two people from a fire at a shop with flats above on Balham High Road in Balham.
Part of the basement was damaged by fire. Firefighters rescued two people from the first floor of the building and a further five people were led to safety via an internal staircase. Two people were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.
The fire was discovered by residents after the electrical power in their properties went off and upon investigating, they saw smoke and smelt burning in the communal hallways. The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers gave vital fire survival guidance to residents in the flats on how to stay safe before firefighters arrived.
Station Commander Matt Williams, who was at the scene, said: “Crews worked extremely well to quickly bring the fire under control in the basement of the building.
“Crews acted swiftly to rescue a man and a woman from a first floor flat using a nine metre ladder. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus also led a further five people to safety via an internal staircase using fire escape hoods.
"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 2141 and the fire was under control by 2301. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Tooting, Clapham, Battersea, Wimbledon and Brixton fire stations attended the scene.
The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by a fault inside an electrical intake cupboard in the basement.