Firefighters rescued two women from a tower block in Roehampton after a fire broke out this afternoon.

Six fire engines and 35 firefighters were sent to Hilsea Point, Wanborough Drive, just before 12.30pm after a fire started in a second floor flat.

Crews from Wandsworth, New Malden, Wimbledon and Fulham fire stations attended and brought the fire at the 11-storey tower block under control by just after 2.30pm.

A woman was rescued from the flat where the fire started and was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation.

Another woman was rescued from a neighbouring flat and was treated at the scene. About 30 people left the building before firefighters arrived.

A cat was also rescued from the building and was taken away for treatment by the RSPCA.

A flat on the second floor was badly damaged by the blaze and the building’s hallways, corridors and stairways were all heavily smoke logged.

Station manager Julian Spooner said people living in the blocks were usually safer staying in their flats until firefighters arrived, unless they were directly affected by heat and smoke.

He said: “Flats and maisonettes are built to give you some protection from fire – a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 60. Walls, floors and doors will hold back flames and smoke for a time.

“If there is a fire elsewhere in the block but not inside your flat you're usually safer staying in your flat unless heat or smoke is affecting you.

“If you leave your flat you could be rushing into choking smoke, the fire itself or firefighters using equipment to bring the fire under control in another part of the building.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.

London Fire Brigade has launched a campaign called Know the Plan designed to improve awareness of fire safety for residents of high rise buildings and purpose built flats. For more information, visit knowtheplan.co.uk.