Lewisham fire: Man and woman rescued from scaffolding as 70 firefighters tackle flames

Two people were rescued from a flat fire in south London in the early hours as 70 firefighters rushed to tackle the blaze.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Russett Way, in Lewisham, at 1.53am this morning (Tuesday, November 22).

A man and a woman were led to safety by firefighters from scaffolding on the building and taken down a nine metre ladder.

While 60 residents left the property before the fire service arrived, and there were no reports of any injuries.

Commander Richard Hamilton said: “"The fire had started in an outdoor communal area off the sixth-floor lobby.

“Lewisham Road was closed between Morden Hill and John Penn Street."

Fire crews from Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford, Lee Green, New Cross and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

The fire service said other residents of the building had “remained in their unaffected flats”.

Part of a communal area on the sixth floor of the building was damaged by the fire.

There were 16 calls made to the 999 control room and the blaze was under control by 2.50am.

The Met Police and London Fire Brigade are investigating the cause of the incident.