Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a student accommodation block on Roehampton Lane in Roehampton.
Part of a service duct running from the ground to the fifth floor was damaged by fire.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a fire escape hood to lead a woman to safety. She was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews suffering from smoke inhalation.
Seven further adults were led to safety by crews wearing breathing apparatus. They were assessed at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews. Around 100 people left the building before firefighters arrived.
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 0359 and the fire was under control by 0438. Crews from Wandsworth, Richmond, Battersea and Fulham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is cause of the fire is believed to have been electrical.