Four people fled buildings in Lewisham due to a fire in the early hours of the morning at a restaurant which fire crews claim had no working smoke alarms.

Around 25 firefighters and four fire engines were called at 1am this morning (August 27) to a restaurant with flats above it on Belmont Hill.

Two people fled the building before crews got to the scene and another two were evacuated from neighbouring buildings.

The ground floor, first floor and staircase connecting the two floors of the three-storey building impacted were “completely destroyed” by the fire.

No injuries were reported.

The incident was under control by 3.18am and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "This incident also shows just how important it is to have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of your home.

“Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning when a fire starts and we would urge everyone to make sure they have one fitted in every room where a fire can start except kitchens or bathrooms where heat alarms are more appropriate.”

Fire crews from Lewisham, Lee Green, Deptford and New Cross fire stations were at the scene.