A man has died after a house fire in South Norwood earlier today.

Three people had fled the house on Whitehorse Lane before the fire brigade arrived and were checked over by paramedics.

Half of the ground floor and most of the first floor of a terraced house was damaged by fire.

One man was taken to hospital, where he later died.

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were first called to the fire at 7.54am and the control operators took 12 calls about the fire.

Firefighters from West Norwood, Woodside and Norbury fire stations brought the fire under control by 9.06am.

The cause of the fire is now under investigation.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade: “Sadly, a man has died following a house fire on Whitehorse Lane in South Norwood.

“Half of the ground floor and most of the first floor of a terraced house was damaged by fire.

“Three people left the building before firefighters arrived and were assessed on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

“One man was taken to hospital, where he sadly later died.

“The Brigade was called at 0754 and the fire was under control by 0906. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from West Norwood, Woodside and Norbury fire stations attended the scene.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”