Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire on Errol Street in Barbican.
Most of a first-floor flat in a six-storey residential block was damaged by fire. One woman was rescued via an internal staircase wearing a fire escape hood by firefighters with breathing apparatus. A man was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews for smoke inhalation.
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 0657 and the fire was brought under control by 0818. Crews from Shoreditch, Dowgate, Soho and Whitechapel fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.