Firefighters were called to a fire at a building in a rear residential garden on Tudor Road in Crystal Palace.
Part of a single-storey building used as two garden flats was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued four cats, but sadly three of the cats died. There were no reports of any other injuries.
The fire was discovered by a resident who looked out of the window and saw smoke coming from the garden building. They then made the first call to 999.
The Brigade was called at 1637 and the fire was under control by 1718. Two fire engines and around ten firefighters from West Norwood Fire Station attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.