AROUND 50 people were evacuated from a tower block fire in Thamesmead today - with one resident likening the blaze to 9/11.

Six fire engines and around 35 firefighters were called out at around 11am to a fire in a flat on the 11th floor of a block in Erebus Drive.

By the time crews were on the scene, most of the people, including the flat’s occupants, had already been evacuated by the block’s staff who were alerted by fire alarms.

Fire fighters with breathing apparatus tackled the blaze, which watch manager Andy Wilson from Plumstead fire station said had broken out in a bedroom, causing 75 per cent damage there. News Shopper: The scene earlier today

Development manager Felix Adele said he had been in his office working when the alarms went off and concierge Philip Weyinmi, armed with a fire extinguisher, rushed to alert people in the block.

People have been allowed back into the building this afternoon, but those living above the 10th floor will have to wait a while longer while the cause is investigated.

Gurmel Singh, 53, who lives on the top floor, said: “The first I knew was when a policeman broke my door down and asked me to leave. He said something like ‘If you want to live, go’.”

He added: “There was some anxiety - 9/11 comes to mind. It just came into my mind because the fire was on the floor below me.

“When I came out and saw the gush of thick black smoke it brought home to me the words smoke can kill.” News Shopper: "Scary" - Surinder Sansoa

Surinder Sansoa, 38, lives in the flat below with his wife and baby.

The recruitment consultant said: “Smoke started coming in through the windows and my wife was screaming.”

He said: “It was scary, especially when you have a seven-month-old baby in your hands.”

No one was injured in the blaze and the cause is not yet known.