15 people escape building after shop sets alight

A shop below flats caught alight on Saturday forcing 15 people to escape the building.

Twenty-five firefighters and four fire engines responded to the blaze Woolwich High Street.

Part of ground floor shop was damaged by the fire and the fifteen people from the flats above escaped the building before the crews arrived. There are no reports of any injuries.

Control Officers took the first of five calls reporting the fire at around 7.45am and crews had the fire under control by around 8.30am.

Firefighters from Plumstead, Eltham and East Greenwich fire stations attended the scene.

The fire is believed to have been accidental, caused by an electrical fault.

(Picture: London Fire Brigade)