Firefighters saved two people from a fire at a shop on Balham High Road last night (Feb 1).

The Brigade was called at around 9:40pm by residents from the flats above.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Tooting, Clapham, Battersea, Wimbledon and Brixton fire stations attended.

The blaze was under control by 11:00pm with part of the basement damaged by fire.

Station Commander Matt Williams, who was at the scene, said:

“Crews worked extremely well to quickly bring the fire under control in the basement of the building. Crews acted swiftly to rescue a man and a woman from a first floor flat using a nine metre ladder.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus also led a further five people to safety via an internal staircase using fire escape hoods.”

Two people were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews after suffering from smoke inhalation.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by a fault inside an electrical intake cupboard in the basement.

The fire was discovered by residents after the electrical power in their properties went off and upon investigating, they saw smoke and smelt burning in the communal hallways.