An investigation has been launched after two pensioners were found dead folliwing a flat fire in Tooting last night.

The bodies of two elderly people, who have not yet been named, were found in the flat on Coverton Road.

The fire was reported at 9.23pm and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) were able to control the blaze by 10.02pm.

Blackened furniture and belongings could be seen outside the flat this morning.

Two LFB fire engines, from Mitcham and Wimbledon, attended the fire and there was a fire unit in attendance at the scene all night and this morning. Police and teams from the London Ambulance Crew were also present.

Neighbour, Thevy Dhiyakumar, 50, said she was forced to evacuate the building along with her family in case the fire spread to their house.

The family were outside for more than an hour, but were able to return home that night.

Mrs Dhiyakumar said she did not know the victims but they had seemed friendly.

The LFB is working alongside the police to establish the cause of the fire.

Medical student Harsha Dhokia, of Pevensey Road, witnessed the fire at around 10pm.

She said: “It was kind of crazy. The street was flooded from all the water and the windows were ablaze.

“The road was closed off to traffic from both ends.”

Other witnesses reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the building and a helicopter up in the air at the time of the fire.

Trevor Button, 29, of Coverton Road, captured the incident on his Smartphone. 

He said: “There was no smoke or flames for quite a while.

“It all went really quiet, then the whole back went up again.”

Wandsworth Times: fire

Dozens of people could be seen out on the street witnessing the blaze.

Kevin Pope, 54, of Tooting, said he saw five or six police cars and two ambulances on the scene.

One witnesses said that the back window, which was visibly charred, had fallen in.

Jay Buchanan, of Coverton Road, said: “I saw the fire brigade last night, there was a lot of noise.”

Neighbours reported that there were roadworks outside the flat before the blaze.

A neighbour, who witnessed the incident, said that the fire brigade worked very quickly to control the fire.

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 9.30pm to Coverton Road to reports of a fire.

"We sent our hazardous area response team which deals with fires.

"We also sent an ambulance crew and a single responder in a car and a duty officer.

"Sadly two people were found dead at the scene."

Did you see the incident? Please contact the newsdesk by emailing newsdesk@london.newsquest.co.uk