Firefighters saved 10 people from a first-floor blaze in a block of flats in Pollards Hill this morning.

Fire officers were called to the blaze in Lindsey Close, near South Lodge Avenue just before 8am.

"When fire crews arrived the flat was well alight and smoke was coming out of the windows on the first floor", said watch manager Bob Scrivener, who was at the fire.

"The residents of the block were alerted by a smoke alarm in the affected flat that warned everyone of the danger facing them."

Five people had already fled the fire when firefighters arrived and evacuated 10 more people.

The blaze was extinguished by 8.30am, with damage contained to one first floor flat.

Fire officers are investigating the cause of the fire.

Mr Scrivener said: "It is vital that you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it regularly, as it gives you early warning in the event of a fire."

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from Norbury and West Norwood fire stations attended the incident.