Wandsworth fire: 20 people flee south London balcony blaze as temperatures hit 37.4C

A woman has been treated for smoke inhalation after a balcony fire at a south London block of flats.

Firefighters rushed to the building on Bridges Court Road, Wandsworth, at just after midday today (Monday, July 18) after reports a flat on the sixth floor was ablaze.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled the flames and part of the balcony on the sixth floor was damaged by the blaze.

One woman was suffering from smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Twenty people left the building before firefighters arrived.

The blaze erupted on the hottest day of the year - and what could be the warmest day in London’s history.

The mercury has hit 37.4C in Kew Gardens, less than 1C off the capital’s record of 38.1C at Heathrow Airport in 2003.

A fire service spokesperson said: “The brigade was called at 12.33pm and the fire was under control by 13.43pm.

“Fire crews from Battersea, Chelsea, Fulham and Kensington fire stations were at the scene.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”