Firefighters were called to a fire at a maisonette on Market Place in Bermondsey.
Part of the second floor of a split-level maisonette was damaged by fire. Crews wearing breathing apparatus rescued a man from a fourth floor bedroom using a fire escape hood. Two men were taken to hospital.
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 0706 and the fire was under control by 0829. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Dockhead, Old Kent Road and Deptford fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.