A woman has died and police have launched an investigation following a house fire in Eltham.

It broke out just before 4.40am in Alderwood Road on Thursday and the woman and a man and child were taken to hospital.

The man and a child left the building before the Brigade arrived and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued the woman via an internal staircase.

She has since died in hospital.

Half of the ground floor and most of the first floor of the mid-terraced house were damaged by fire.

The roof of the building was destroyed.

 Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Eltham, Sidcup, Lee Green, Bexley and Plumstead fire stations attended the scene.

The fire was under control by 6.01am.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by London Fire Brigade. Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "A woman has sadly died after a house fire on Alderwood Road in Eltham.

"Half of the ground floor and most of the first floor of a mid-terraced house were damaged by fire.

"The roof of the building was destroyed.

"A man and a child left the building before the Brigade arrived.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued a woman via an internal staircase.

"They were all taken to hospital, where the woman sadly later died.

The Brigade was called at 0437 and the fire was under control by 0601.

"Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Eltham, Sidcup, Lee Green, Bexley and Plumstead fire stations attended the scene.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service."

We have contacted the Metropolitan Police for more information.

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