Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop on Woolwich New Road in Woolwich.
Part of a ground floor shop, with flats above, was damaged by fire. Two adults and two children were rescued from the three-storey building by firefighters via a nine-metre ladder. Five adults and two children were led to safety by firefighters via an internal staircase. Four people left the building before firefighters arrived.
One person was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews suffering from smoke inhalation.
The Brigade was called at 0526 and the fire was under control by 0723. Crews from Plumstead, East Greenwich, Eltham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.