RESIDENTS had to be led to safety after an arson attack filled their block of flats with smoke.

Fire and police crews were called to the building in Thicket Road, Penge, after the blaze broke out in the car park beneath it.

Smoke poured into 24 flats and eight residents were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire is thought to have started after a stolen car was set alight on the night of August 11.

Flames from the vehicle, a black BMW, spread to two nearby cars and into the building.

Ken Taber, who lives on the third floor, was evacuated from his home.

The 83-year-old was getting ready for bed when he heard a knock at the door, at around 9.30pm.

He said: "I opened the door and smoke just gushed in. A man said get out, quick' and I did.

"He could have been a fireman, but I couldn't see anything. All the lights were out and there was smoke everywhere.

"We were all very lucky. There were about 10 of us holding on to the firemen who were leading us to the ground floor.

"It was so dark and smoky, we couldn't see the stairs. I was coughing my heart out."

The father-of-three was given oxygen at the scene and then taken to Lewisham Hospital, where he spent the night under observation.

He added: "The people who did this are roughnecks.

"If I could get hold of them I would strangle them. I would put them out of their misery. They are obscene."

Patricia Kelly, who lives on the second floor, realised something was happening after hearing a "tremendous bang".

The 79-year-old, who suffers from osteoporosis and uses a walking frame, struggled to her front door after hearing a second bang.

She said: "I opened the door and the flat filled with smoke.

"Then the lights went and there wasn't a soul about. I heard somebody shout hurry up, get out, quick, quick'."

The mother-of-two said: "There was so much smoke I couldn't see a thing. Everything was filthy and sooty to the touch.

"I was putting my cat in the basket and getting ready to leave when a fireman came up.

"He opened my windows and said I was safe. The paramedics asked if I wanted to go to hospital but I said I was OK."

Mrs Kelly's heating, hot water and telephone were knocked out by the fire.

And she is still cleaning soot off her belongings.

She added: "I have never experienced anything like it. I feel very lucky to have been at the other end of the block. I must have missed the full force of the blast."

Four residents were taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, and four were treated at Lewisham Hospital but no serious injuries were reported.

The blaze, which started at 9.30pm, was under control by 11.15pm and was attended by fire crews from Beckenham, West Norwood and Woodside.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Marie Hill said: "This incident did cause people to attend hospital and could have endangered lives."

If you have any information, call Det Con Hill on 020 8271 4509.