By Matt Atherton
A huge fire inside a South Kensington residential building sparked a huge evacuation operation in London, with five people saved by firefighters inside the house, and 11 rushed to hospital.
Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to a fire at a terraced house converted into flats on Emperor's Gate in South Kensington, London Fire Brigade confirmed.
Half of the ground floor of the five-storey building was alight, and about 15 people escaped the building before fire engines arrived. Officials evacuated about 130 people from the surrounding area, including neighbouring buildings.
Around 11 people were treated for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. Two people were rescued by crews from a second floor flat using a 13.5 metre ladder, two people were rescued from a fourth floor flat by crews using a turntable ladder. One person was rescued from a first floor flat by crews using a short extension ladder.
Station Commander Steve Collins was at the scene, he said: "The fire spread from the ground floor to the top floor and roof of the property. Crews worked extremely hard to contain it and prevent the blaze spreading to adjacent buildings.
"Road closures are in place and likely to remain well into the morning rush hour so motorists are advised to avoid the area. However, there is no impact on rail services and they will be running as normal."
The Brigade was called at 0031 and the fire was under control by 0440. Fire crews from Kensington, Fulham, Battersea, Hammersmith, Chelsea, North Kensington and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.