Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a residential block of flats on Buckingham Gate in Westminster.
Half of a three-roomed flat on the ground floor of the five-storey building was damaged by fire. Three adults suffering smoke inhalation left the flat before the arrival of the Brigade and were treated on-scene by London Ambulance Service. A further adult woman was led to safety by firefighters from a neighbouring flat using a fire escape hood before being treated on-scene by London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service crews.
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 0403 and the fire was under control by 0509. Crews from Lambeth, Soho and Dowgate fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.