SIX fire engines and a hydraulic platform were called to the scene of a fire in a block of flats on Saturday night.

Crews were called to the flats above a parade of shops in Well Hall Road, Eltham, at 7.45pm after reports of smoke and flames.

Five people had already left the building before fire fighters arrived and the fire was extinguished by around 11pm.

Nigel Fletcher, who is councillor for Eltham North, saw the incident unfold.

Cllr Fletcher said: "I was cycling home from Eltham station and saw smoke pouring out of the roof of the flats above the shops on Well Hall Road.

"Some of the residents from the flats were just rushing out, looking frightened.

"Staff from the shops were also just coming out to see what was going on.

"A couple of minutes later the first fire engine got there, and the firemen managed to get a hose inside very quickly.

"The smoke became quite thick, and the police started moving me and other people further away.

"It was quite surreal to see such a drama unfolding down the road from where I live, and I only hoped no one was hurt."

No injuries were reported and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.