Hither Green Lewisham shop fire: Person taken to hospital

Firefighters were called to Lewisham High Street on May 7 shortly before 12.45am.

The Brigade tackled the fire at a shop with flats above where eight people were led to safety by an external staircase.

A part of the ground floor of the shop was damaged by the blaze.

• READ MORE: Pigeons found impaled and dead under Orpington station

One person was then taken to hospital by London Ambulance crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire was under control by 1.55am.

Fire crews from Lewisham, Greenwich, Lee Green, and Forest Hill fire stations attended the scene.

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

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade (LFB) said: “Crews arrived to find smoke coming from the roller shutters at the front of the shop and led residents out of the building from the flats above.

“There were smoke alarms fitted in the property, but they did not work. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts.

“We encourage everyone to have smoke alarms fitted in every room where a fire could start, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen. It's important to test them regularly.”

The full statement from LFB said: “Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with flats above on Lewisham High Street in Hither Green.

"Part of the ground floor shop was damaged by fire.

"Firefighters led eight people to safety via an external staircase.

"One person was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.

"The Brigade was called at 12.42am and the fire was under control by 1.55am.

"Fire crews from Lewisham, Greenwich, Lee Green, and Forest Hill fire stations attended the scene.

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

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.