Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with flats above on Lewisham High Street in Hither Green.
Part of the ground floor shop was damaged by fire. Firefighters led eight people to safety via an external staircase. One person was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the roller shutters at the front of the shop and led residents out of the building from the flats above.
“There were smoke alarms fitted in the property, but they did not work. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts. We encourage everyone to have smoke alarms fitted in every room where a fire could start, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. It's important to test them regularly.”
The Brigade was called at 0042 and the fire was under control by 0155. Fire crews from Lewisham, Greenwich, Lee Green and Forest Hill fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.