Three women and two children have been rescued from a 21-storey building after a fire in Battersea.

The fire broke out in Surrey Lane just before 4am today (April 25).

Half of a four-room flat on the 16th floor was destroyed by the blaze.

Fire crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used escape hoods to lead a woman and a child to safety from the 16th floor.

They were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by London Ambulance Service crews.

Another two women and a child on the 20th floor were also led to safety by the brigade.

The fire was under control by 5.08am.

Fire crews from Battersea, Chelsea, Clapham, Fulham, Wandsworth, and Lambeth fire stations were called to the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Eight fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called to a fire at a block of flats on Surrey Lane in Battersea.

“Half of a four-roomed flat on the 16th floor of a 21 storey block of flats was destroyed by fire.

“Fire crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used fire escape hoods to lead one woman and one child to safety on the 16th floor.

“They were treated for smoke inhalation on scene by London Ambulance Service.

“Another two women and one child on the 20th floor were also led to safety by crews wearing breathing apparatus. 

“The Brigade’s 999 Control officers gave vital fire survival guidance to residents in flats on the 16th and 20th floors.

“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) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people.

“If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.”