Two people escape blaze after fire breaks out in restaurant with flats above

Two people managed to escape from a fire that broke out in a restaurant with flats above in the early hours this morning.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to the blaze in Belmont Hill, Lewisham at around 1am.

The ground floor, first floor and staircase of the three storey building were completely destroyed by fire, the London fire brigade (LFB) said.

Two people esaced the building before firefighters arrived, with another two people evacuating from neighbouring properties. No injuries were reported.

The LFB said there were no working smoke alarms in the property.

A spokesman said: “This incident shows just how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of your home.

“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.”

Fire crews from Lewisham, Lee Green, Deptford and New Cross fire stations brought the fire under control by around 3am.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

(Picture: LFB)