Around 60 firefighters and eight fire engines were deployed to Sycamore House tower block on Saturday as the block of flats went up in flames. 

London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called at 1pm and firefighters spent around two hours battling the blaze before it was extinguished at around 3pm.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “The whole of a three roomed flat on the second floor in a six-story block was destroyed by fire. Half of the corridor on the second floor was also damaged by the blaze.”

Seventy residents were evacuated, though two women and a child had to be rescued by fire crews using breathing apparatus. They were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.

No residents were in a serious condition.

“Ten people were evacuated before the arrival of the brigade,” the LFB spokesperson added. “Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus rescued two women and one child using fire escape hoods. Fire escape hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases – carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein.”

“They were assessed on scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service and taken to hospital. The Brigade was called at 1pm and was under control shortly after 3pm. Fire crews from Norbury, Croydon, Shadwell, Woodside, Mitcham and Wallington fire stations were at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

Residents who lived in the tower block were assisted by Croydon Council and given shelter between the Eternity Church Croydon and Thornton Heath Leisure Centre located close by. Tesco and McDonalds gave their support by providing food and drinks for those who were evacuated.