A communal area in a Lewisham tower block was damaged by a fire during the early hours of this morning.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a flat fire on Russett Way in Lewisham at 1.53am.

An area on floor six was damaged in the blaze and is now under investigation by Met Police.

Around 60 people left the flats before the fire brigade arrived while the remainder of the building stayed in their unaffected flats.

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

The brigade took 16 calls to the blaze and nobody was injured during the incident.

Fire crews from Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford, Lee Green, New Cross and surrounding fire stations brought the fire under control by 2.50am.

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

"Firefighters led a man and a woman to safety from scaffolding on the building via a 9-metre ladder.

“Around 60 residents left the property before the Brigade arrived, whilst others remained in their unaffected flats.

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

“Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Russett Way in Lewisham.

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

“There were no reports of any injuries.

“The Brigade's 999 Control Officers took 16 calls to the blaze.

“The Brigade was called at 0153 and the fire was under control by 0250.

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

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