Firefighters rescued five people from a house fire on Lower Road in Rotherhithe.
Half of a ground-floor lounge was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued five people who were assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service crews. Two men were taken to hospital.
Firefighters used fire escape hoods to help get people to safety.
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 0654 and the fire was under control by 0747. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Dockhead, Old Kent Road and Peckham fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.