THREE elderly people have been rescued from a care home blaze this afternoon.

Six fire engines and 30 firefighters were called to a blaze at a care home in Brownhill Road, Catford, where part of a ground floor was ablaze.

The brigade was called at 3.04pm and had it under control by 4.14pm.

Crews from Lee Green, Lewisham, Downham, Eltham and Forest Hill fire stations all attended.

Station manager Lisa Hicks, who was at the scene, said: "Our crews worked really hard to get this fire quickly under control and although there wasn't much fire damage there was significant smoke damage throughout the building.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued three older people, one of whom was taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

"Thirteen other residents were evacuated by the care home staff and firefighters."

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

All lanes have now reopened but there is still slow traffic on the A205 Catford Road in both directions between Catford Gyratory and the A2212 Burnt Ash Hill junction.