A woman was taken to hospital following a flat fire in Thamesmead earlier this morning.

Four engines carrying approximately 25 firefighters were dispatched to a block of flats in Defence Close shortly after 7am in response to reports of a three-room apartment ablaze.

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One woman was rescued by fire crews wearing breathing apparatus and was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Four people from neighbouring flats were led to safety by crews, via an internal staircase, and around 20 people left the building before the brigade arrived.

Crews from Plumstead and East Greenwich fire stations were at the scene and managed to contain the blaze at 8.43am.

Parts of the flat have been damaged by the flames but the cause of the fire is still under investigation.