More than a dozen people had to be rescued after a block of flats in Mitcham caught fire last night.

Sixteen people were rescued by firefighters, with a further 30 leaving before the brigade arrived after part of the six-storey building in Armfield Crescent caught alight.

Crews rescued six people from a first floor balcony via a ladder and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus led another 10 people to safety via the internal stairwell.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Watch manager Mike Stephens, who was at the scene, said: “There was a lot of smoke coming from the building and a number of loud bangs coming from the electrical intake cupboard.

“The building had been plunged into darkness and there were a lot of people in the communal areas, on balconies and outside the block, so our priority was to lead people who had left their flats to safety.

“Crews did a good job ensuring the safety of residents and tackling the fire, which was contained to the electrical intake room.”

LFB was called at 9.08pm and the fire was under control by 10.17pm.

The fire is believed to be accidental and was caused by an electrical fault in the intake cupboard.

An electrical intake room on the ground floor was destroyed by the fire.