Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters were called to a fire at a house on Ashmore Road in Westminster.
Part of the communal stairwell on the first floor was damaged by fire.
Four men wearing smoke hoods were led to safety from the second floor by crews wearing breathing apparatus.
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 1658 and the incident was over by 1756. Fire crews from North Kensington, Dagenham and Paddington fire stations were in attendance.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.