A woman and child had a lucky escape after their smoke alarms alerted them to a fire in their flat in Lethbridge Close in Blackheath.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a storage heater catching clothing alight. The woman and child were alerted to the fire after their smoke alarms sounded.
They left the property before the arrival of the Brigade and were treated for smoke inhalation before being taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
Part of the kitchen of the three-roomed flat, which was on the first floor, was damaged by fire.
Watch Manager Andrew Trainor, who was at the scene, said: “The smoke alarms went off and that is what alerted everyone.
“The alarms were fitted by Greenwich White Watch last year and there’s no doubt they saved their lives.
“All the windows were shut and the whole place was smoke logged with thick smoke when crews went in.
“This incident is also a reminder to take care when using heaters as this fire was caused by clothes being hung up too close to a heater. Clothing, blankets and other material getting too close to heaters is a dangerous fire risk.”
The Brigade was called at 0633 and the fire was under control at 0716. Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers from Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford and New Cross fire stations attended the scene.