Five elderly people were rescued by firefighters this morning after a fire broke out in a flat in a sheltered housing complex on Whytecliffe Road in Purley, CR8.
Firefighters gave first aid and oxygen to three elderly women and looked after them until paramedics arrived on the scene.
Around half of the ground floor flat was damaged by fire.
A further 25 people evacuated the building before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Six fire engines and 30 firefighters from Purley, Woodside, Mitcham, Norbury and Croydon fire stations were at the scene.
The Brigade was called at 0952 and the fire was under control by 1057.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.