An elderly man was killed in a fire at his Eltham home on Sunday.

Police and the London Fire Brigade were called to the scene in Fairlands Court, North Park, shortly before 8pm following reports of a fire in a ground floor flat.

The man, believed to have been in his 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene by the London Ambulance Service after being found in his living room.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.

Martin O’Dell, 44, of North Park, said: "My wife was putting the kids to bed and suddenly we heard the sirens from down the road.

"We rushed outside and could see the smoke coming from the flats from across the street."

He added: "It was terrible really, to think an elderly man had died in the fire is gut-wrenching."

Firefighters attended from Lee Green and Sidcup stations and other residents, who suffered no injuries, were evacuated from the building.