Police are investigating the cause of a fire where firefighters had to rescue two people from the balcony of a flat in Abbey Wood.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued two men from a balcony of a building in Wolvercote Road on Wednesday using fire escape hoods.

They were treated on scene by ambulance crews.

Part of a four-roomed flat on the eighth floor of the building was damaged.

The fire was discovered in the hallway when occupants heard smoke alarms sounding.

The fire Brigade was called at 5.40pm and the fire was under control by 6.51pm.

Fire crews from Bexley, East Greenwich, Sidcup and Poplar fire stations attended the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.

We have asked the Met Police for more information.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Firefighters rescued two people from a flat fire on Wolvercote Road in Abbey Wood.

"Part of a four-roomed flat on the eighth floor of the building was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued two men from a balcony using fire escape hoods.

"They were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

"The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers gave vital fire survival guidance advice to residents in the flat on how to stay safe before firefighters arrived.

"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 fire was discovered when occupants heard smoke alarms sounding. On investigation, they found  a fire in the hallway.

“This incident is an important reminder about the importance of having smoke alarms fitted in your home.

"You should have working smoke alarms in every room where a fire can start, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. They should be tested regularly.

"The Brigade was called at 1740 and the fire was under control by 1851.

"Fire crews from Bexley, East Greenwich, Sidcup and Poplar fire stations attended the scene.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service."

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